Site Policies
Use of Metal Detectors and Hunting for Objects and Artifacts Policy:
The removal of any element from a site disturbs the historical context and importance. Importance not only lies in the artifact itself, but also in its placement within the landscape and proximity to other features. Removal of these artifacts can deprive the broader public the right to knowledge about the past and hinder future researchers’ ability to piece together the past.
Therefore, the possession of metal detectors on Ligonier Valley Historical Society properties is strictly prohibited. Relic hunting by use of metal detectors or other means is also prohibited and violators will be prosecuted.
Historical Society properties included under this policy, but not limited to, are:
Compass Inn Museum and Historic Site
Hall House Headquarters Building
Laurel Hill Iron Furnace
Any cemetery the Society maintains:
Miller Cemetery
Penrod Cemetery
Horner Cemetery
Keltz Cemetery
Beulah Cemetery
Deeds Cemetery
Fry Cemetery
Visitor Photography Policy:
No photography and/or videography inside the Inn is permitted. Photography and/or videography for your own personal use, not including the posting of content on public social media, is permitted outside and in the barn, blacksmith shop, and cookhouse.
Visitor photography and/or videography is permitted for personal, noncommercial use only. Photographs and/or videos may not be published, sold, reproduced, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner unless approved by the Ligonier Valley Historical Society in writing. Requests for commercial photography and/or videography should be forwarded to Theresa Gay Rohall at 724-238-6818 or tgrohall@compassinn.org.
Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones) or any similar remote-controlled vehicles/flying devices, is not permitted on the property without prior approval from the Historical Society.
Photography sessions including, but not limited to, wedding, engagement, graduation, prom, or family portraits must take place outside of operating hours (May-Oct Tues-Sun 11-4). While there is no charge to take photographs, donations are accepted and very much appreciated.
Service Animal Policy:
Service animals that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability are welcome in the historic Compass Inn, outbuildings, and Museum Shop. Non-service animals, or pets whose function is to provide comfort or emotional support, are not permitted.
Compass Inn Museum defines “service animal” with the same language used in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. The task(s) performed by the animal must be directly related to the person’s disability. Under ADA, emotional support, therapy, comfort or companion animals are not considered service animals.
In order to bring a service animal into Compass Inn Museum: The dog must be leashed, unless the device interferes with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents the use of the device.
Solicitation for any reason on museum or historical society property is not permitted.
Damaging plants or flowers or picking from the gardens and landscape is not permitted.
Children must remain with parents, teachers, or chaperones at all times including trips to the restrooms.
Food and drink are strictly prohibited in Compass Inn Museum buildings, unless offered during historic foodways demonstrations.
Due to tight spaces, strollers and large backpacks are not allowed in the historic inn and outbuildings. You will be asked to leave strollers on the front porch of the inn and alongside the outbuildings during the tour. The museum has no storage space, so please leave your backpacks in your car.
