Fort Ligonier

In the summer of 1758, the British built Fort Ligonier, the western most British fort along the newly constructed Forbes Road which was about 220 miles long and ran from Carlisle, Pennsylvania to the French Fort Duquesne. (now the site of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). The British hoped to conquer Fort Duquesne and force the French out of the Ohio River Valley, an area that the French had been steadily moving into and claiming for France. 

 The British attempted but failed to take Fort Duquesne in 1754. Instead of negotiating a peaceful settlement, both countries sent troops to North America. This was the start of the Seven Years War a battle for control by England and France that became a world war with fighting in India, North America, Europe, the West Indies, the Philippines, and coastal Africa. Great Britain, Prussia, Portugal were allied on one side and France, Spain, Austria, Russia, Sweden on the other. A good portion of the museum explains the Seven Year War in detail. Exhibits also cover the building of Fort Ligonier and Forbes Road. 

The fort has been reconstructed in the original location following 18th century plans and clues found by archeologists. Buildings include barracks, officer's quarters, store rooms, a hospital, smokehouse, sawmill, bake ovens, and a blacksmith's forge. Wagons and artillery are on the grounds.

When we visited there were only two reenactors- a hat maker and a wash woman. Both were friendly and knowledgeable. 

The museum is accessible. Paved paths circle around the grounds. The fort is located up a very steep hill. The website states:   "Arrangements can be made for those guests who are unable to walk to the Upper Fort." We did not ask but most likely they use a golf cart that is not accessible. Most of the buildings have steps but it is possible to peek into them. 

The parking lot is unlevel and uphill from the museum however there are two accessible spaces in the level area near the museum where short RVs will fit. Fort  40.24142, -79.23872

 

Maridon Museum

The Asian art in this museum is the culmination of forty years of collecting by Mary Hulton Phillips. Even though she never traveled farther than Atlantic City, NJ. Mary fell in love with the intricate carvings in ivory and jade and chose each of the over 800 pieces from local or New York City dealers who would save pieces that they thought she would like. 

   

Before Mary died in 2009 she hired an architect and had the museum built to house the collection that had previously filled her modest Butler, Pa home. The museum is small with four galleries displaying a wide range of art from 2000-3000 BC  to the early 20th century.

     

Everything is accessible.  

Parking is on the street or in the alley that runs along the south side of the museum.  Museum  40.86417, -79.89413

 

Trout Island Trail

This quiet, pretty, and shady 5 mile out and back trail travels through a forest of young trees. The dam is located about 3/4 of a mile in and a parallel paved path starts there. We walked/rolled along the path until we came to a couple of downed trees and had to turn around to continue on the main trail. When pavement ends, the trail continues as a narrow dirt path that may go all the way to Shenango Reservoir.  

The trail is fairly level except for the first section that goes down hill.It's paved and in good condition. The dirt section is not accessible.

 

The parking lot is short and only has two spaces. Large vehicles can be parked on the street. Trail   41.26456, -80.47423

 

German Culture Museum

 The museum focuses on the history of the Amish, German and Swiss settlers of Holmes County and Walnut Creek Township. One large room is filled with donated household items and horse-drawn vehicles.

The museum is accessible.

The museum is on the bottom floor of the Walnut Creek Community/Library Building. Parking is in the rear. There are two very steep narrow streets that provide access but it's better to go west on Route 515 and then left on Carlisle Court. The parking lot is fairly small so park large RVs in the lot right off of Route 515 and walk/roll to the museum. Museum   40.54094, -81.7225

 

Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum

 What do you do when your collecting hobby gets out of control? Start a museum, of course!  Allan Robert Miller and his son, Allan Raymond began collecting toy trains in the 1970s and soon expanded into collecting all kinds of toys. 

This amazing collection of toys and games is housed in a 1907 former school. Each room has a different theme - board games, HO-gauge and O-Gauge trains, a giant puzzle and Disney toys, a K-nex amusement park, local history, and cars, trucks, and trains from the 1800’s to the present. Most of the rooms have toys and games that visitors are permitted to play with. The first floor center hall features a large Lego display. The second floor has a case filled with dozens of bobbleheads. 

The old metal toys are beautifully crafted. 

The entire basement is filled with Snoopy memorabilia, a collection donated by Dr. William Mercer, a local Wheeling doctor. 

The accessible entrance is on north side of the building. Call to have someone open the door. Once inside the floor slopes down steeply before leveling out. A small elevator, operated by the staff, provides access to all the floors. All the rooms are accessible. 

RVs will fit in the lot if parked across the spaces. Museum 40.04076, -80.65856