Fort Ligonier to host Prussian reenactors, offers free admission for military families

A Prussian invasion is anticipated this weekend at Fort Ligonier.

Reenactors portraying Prussian soldiers who engaged in combat during the mid 18th century will take up residence for a historical military encampment Saturday and Sunday at the reconstructed fort.

Based in the Midwest, the infantry brigade will be on hand for living history demonstrations and military drills from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. It is affiliated with the nonprofit organization Seven Years’ War Inc., reflecting the common name in Europe for an international conflict in 1754-1764 that was better known as the French and Indian War in America.

It was the same conflict that led to the original construction of Fort Ligonier. The fort was an outpost in the successful British campaign to oust opposing French forces from Fort Duquesne, at the site of present-day Pittsburgh.

A section of the Fort Ligonier museum places the fort at routes 30 and 711 in the context of the larger ocean-spanning hostilities of the time.

The visiting reenactors enjoy the authenticity of the historic site and seeing rare artifacts from the Prussian army that made up their military equipment in the museum’s World Ablaze Gallery, according to Matt Gault, Fort Ligonier’s director of education.

Those who can’t make it to the fort for the encampment can still plan on visiting the site on Memorial Day, when it will be open for regular hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is free through Labor Day for up to five members of each active military family, as part of the fort’s new participation in the Blue Star Museum program. The nationwide program is a collaboration of the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense.

The fort also offers discounted admission for veterans throughout the year.

Visit fortligonier.org for more information.