I don’t know about you but, I LOVE an open fire, especially one burning in the hearth of a historic building. Nothing quite beats nostalgia, especially at times like these when we’re living life through a pandemic and anything cozy and comforting reassures and reinforces the simple pleasures in life.

If you’re like me and seek blasts from the past, then I totally recommend a visit to historic Compass Inn Museum located in Laughlintown. Theresa Gay Rohall, the Executive Director of Ligonier Valley Historical Society / Compass Inn Museum, popped by Laurel Highlands Happenings to tell us about events happening at Compass Inn Museum.

Compass Inn Museum Candlelight Tours

During the weekends of November and December this wonderful early 1800’s coaching inn is decked out for the holidays. Prior to Thanksgiving, you can enjoy Harvest Tours and after Turkey Day expect the inn to be gorgeously decorated with evergreen wreaths, garlands and swags, offering holiday candlelight tours, and, of course, the glowing open fires.

The weekend of December 5-6, Compass Inn Museum will be hosting a brand new event; the Armor’s Family Country Holiday Celebration, named after the Armor family that once ran the coaching inn. Along with the candlelight tours, visitors will also be able to enjoy a small Christmas Market, horse and carriage rides and a children’s activities corner, all outdoors and following CDC guidelines.

Small Business Saturday Downtown Greensburg

Half an hour’s drive on Route 30 westbound, you’ll find downtown Greensburg gearing up for the holidays with a bundle of events. Jessica Hickey of Downtown Greensburg Project filled me in with all the latest news. First on the list was Small Business Sat., Nov. 28, a national event that is whole heartily embraced by the merchants downtown and offers a great opportunity for all to support local shops and businesses. Needed now more than ever.

Another new event is the Holiday Market, a spin-off from the highly successful summer Night Markets. The Holiday Market is making two appearances during the Holiday season; 12-4 p.m., Sun., Nov. 29 and Sun., Dec. 20. The usual market vendors will be present, along with new faces to add to the Christmas retail experience and enterprise.

Luminary Night

One of my favorite downtown Greensburg events is the Luminary Night. Always on the first Thursday of December, this year landing on December 3, it will be their 51st year! The event kicks off at 5 p.m. and runs to 9 p.m., and although slightly modified this year, to follow social distancing and CDC guidelines, you will enjoy 600 luminaries lining the streets, Stage Right! performances, live nativity scene by the courthouse and, of course, downtown shops open and excited to see you!

If you’d like to learn more about any of these events mentioned, pop on to the podcast Holly-Jolly Highlands and discover the holiday season in the Laurel Highlands!