Fort Ligonier at Ligonier, Pennsylvania

I’ve always wanted to bring a group on a tour to Fort Ligonier in Ligonier, Pennsylvania in Autumn. Not only does it have a great museum explaining French history, but it is a great little fort to visit in a charming small town. The paintings in the museum are amazing. Ligonier Days which occur the weekend of Columbus Day or Indigenous People’s Day offer the excitement of two days of reenacted battles when the French attacked the fort but did not succeed in taking it from the British. It’s hard to imagine this tiny outpost of a fort with a log cabin for a hospital surviving an attack. On the Saturday of the weekend the town holds a parade and marching bands from the schools in the area perform. Merchants and suttlers sell historic reproduction items and the restaurants are busy late at night. Evenings are cool and comfortable, especially if you are wearing a wool uniform. Autumn comes a little earlier in the higher elevation and the trees already show their color. If you want to stay overnight, book months in advance.