Living History Comes Alive at Fort Ligonier: A Journey Back to 1758
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Asia Tabb
Aired; July 23rd, 2025.
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At Fort Ligonier in Westmoreland County, history is more than something to read about — it’s something to experience.
The reconstructed 18th-century fort, which played a pivotal role in the French and Indian War, offers visitors a full immersion into colonial life, complete with authentic artifacts, historical interpreters, and a sprawling museum collection.
“Education doesn’t just stop when you leave the classroom,” said Matt Gault, Director of Education at Fort Ligonier. “We have people who come in and they’re actually able to interact with interpreters — men and women — dressed as Virginian soldiers from 1758 or camp followers who would have supported the army. It’s a great way to experience the history itself.”
The museum is part of a living history initiative called History Alive, where guests of all ages are encouraged to make personal connections to the past.
“When you arrive here, you’re stepping onto the last fortification General Forbes built on his way to capture Fort Duquesne — present-day Pittsburgh,” Gault explained. “Our reconstructed fort sits on about eight to nine acres and includes entrenchments, fort walls, and detailed structures that show what life was like for soldiers stationed here in 1758.”
While the fort is a reconstructed interpretation built primarily in the 1960s, the site’s significance is deeply rooted in real events from the global Seven Years’ War, which Winston Churchill famously called “the first world war.” Fort Ligonier’s museum displays artifacts from across the globe, including items from Prussia, Spain, and Africa.
“You’d have to fly around the world to see what we have under one roof in this small western Pennsylvania town,” Gault said. “And that surprises a lot of people.”
For younger visitors, the challenge lies in making history relatable. Gault noted that the key is connecting the daily lives of 18th-century people to the present.
“We try to show kids that these were real people who had everyday struggles,” he said. “They argued, cooked, parented — just like we do now. That connection breaks down the idea that the past is irrelevant.”
He added that hands-on experiences, like running around the fort grounds or attending summer history camps, are essential. “Young children learn through play. And when you bring play into history, it becomes meaningful.”
