Journey back in time and visit with the soldiers and camp followers of the present-day Proctor’s Militia. They portray the riflemen of the very first American Troops west of the Allegheny Mountains. In the mid-1700s, the ‘Wild West’ wasn’t as west as one would think. The Laurel Highlands separated the early Pennsylvania colony from the wild frontier. This western border had to be protected from Native and British attacks. Proctor’s Militia, named after John Proctor, the Sheriff of Westmorland County, was formed and tasked with protecting this frontier border.
Today, Proctor’s Militia is brought back to life as the Independent Battalion Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. This American Revolutionary War Reenactment Unit portrays frontier and militia life in Southwestern Pennsylvania during the 18th Century. Proctor’s Militia will set up camp on Compass Inn Museum’s historic grounds and give demonstrations. Muskets and cannon firing demonstrations daily.
The men and women of Proctor’s Militia will depict the lives of camp followers, midwives, surgeons, and leather workers. Camp followers were typically the thousands of wives and girlfriends of soldiers who had to prove their worth to the unit and were subject to military discipline just like the soldiers. Required to be of good character and productive members of the unit, these camp followers were vital to the function of the army by performing a variety of tasks, including laundry, sewing, tending cattle and other odd jobs.
Other activities taking place during the August 21 and 22 Living History weekend include guided tours of the historic Compass Inn and outbuildings as well as cooking and blacksmithing demonstrations.
Compass Inn Museum is located 3 miles east of Ligonier on US Route 30. General admission is $12 for adults, $11 for adults 62+, and $8 for children. Tickets can be purchased on-site, day of the event. For more information, please check out our website at compassinn.org/eventcalendar. For any questions, please contact us at info@compassinn.org or 724-238-6818.
