Fort Ligonier receives grant to fund project

LIGONIER, Pa. (KDKA) — The past can and does come to life at Fort Ligonier in Westmoreland County.

There’s still a little snow on the ground in Laurel Highlands, but this fortress is proudly entering its spring and summer business season. One of the reasons Spring took that step is because it just received a 2024 Americana Corner Preservation America grant that will help strengthen its living history program.

Fort Ligonier Executive Director Mary Manges said receiving this grant is critical to keeping the fort’s history alive and accessible to the public.

“We are a private nonprofit organization,” Manges said. “So we rely on grants, donations, and admission fees. We have a lot of small projects every year that we can’t cover in our regular operating budget. That’s why we rely on grants, donations, and admission fees. The grants supplement that and help us meet those” goals. ”

This is the third time the Citadel has received this grant. Manges says Her Corner Americana likes donating money to improve the visitor experience.

In past years, the grant has been used for projects such as creating printed maps and audio tours of the museum and grounds. This year’s grant will be used to support textile history interpreters. People like Dave Swank, Fort Ligonier’s assistant director of education.

Swank gave KDKA-TV a walking tour of the grounds Monday as a 1750s Virginia State Soldier. He says he enjoys interpreting history for the approximately 25,000 people who visit the fort each year. He added that reenactors are essential to the guest experience.

“I really enjoy the opportunity to educate the public on our site,” Swank said. “The French and Indian War is a war that could probably be written in three sentences in a textbook, and it fills in the gaps and emphasizes how influential it was, especially in terms of the path to revolution and the founding of our country. We have a unique opportunity to educate and enliven this site in as many ways as possible.”

Starting in April, Fort Ligonier will be open most days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with plenty of events scheduled during its opening hours.