Unity Cemetery to host Revolutionary War reenactor, is subject of art exhibit

Unity Cemetery’s 250th anniversary is being celebrated this month through artistic impressions and a historical program.

There are 32 Revolutionary War veterans buried at the cemetery in Unity. On Saturday, an historical reenactor will be on hand to bring to life the experiences of such local soldiers.

Tom Klingensmith, who is a founding member of a local Revolutionary War reenactment group — Proctor’s 1st Battalion of Westmoreland County, will present a program at 3 p.m. in the cemetery chapel, at 114 Chapel Lane.

He’ll be dressed in 18th-century attire and will showcase the tools and gear used by the local frontier militia, including period knives, tomahawks and firearms.

Artistic views of the cemetery and chapel, captured during the site’s milestone year, are featured in a commemorative exhibit running through Oct. 28 at the Latrobe Art Center. A reception is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

The works are the result of a recent plein air painting session at the cemetery. Local artists represented in the display include Pat Dickun, Doreen Currie, Richard Stoner, Becky Mormack and Nancy Rusbosin.

Admission is free. Located at 819 Ligonier St., the center’s art galleries are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

Now 150 years old, the red brick Unity Chapel is the third in a series of churches that have stood alongside the cemetery’s burial plots.

Latrobe Presbyterian Church, which began as an outgrowth of that original Unity congregation, maintains the chapel. It holds summer services and special events there under a long-term lease with the Unity Cemetery Association.