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Field Trips

Give your students a first-hand encounter with the past. Our guided tours and programs are aligned with PA Standards and include engaging hands-on interactions that take your students on a journey through the footsteps of history.

Plan your campaign

Use this checklist to help plan your visit.

  • Select some possible dates. April, May, September, and October are high-demand months for group tours so please book early to ensure the date you desire.
  • What are your goals for the visit? Check out our programs and hands-on activities to personalize the experience to meet your students’ needs and interests.
  • Think about how many chaperones you need or want to bring. Fort Ligonier provides one free chaperone admission for every ten students. Additional adults are $9 per person.
  • Do you want your students to visit our museum store? This can be scheduled into your tour. We have souvenirs including books and resources for adults and children, Fort Ligonier t-shirts and hats and a collection of 18th-century toys and games.
  • Contact our education department at mgault@fortligonier.org or 724-238-9701 to schedule a day and time.
  • A month before your scheduled visit, watch your email for a confirmation packet that includes a schedule, important visit information, and pre/post visit historical content you can use to prepare students for your visit.
  • Payment Options: We accept all forms of payment (cash, credit card, or check). You can pay upon arrival, during your lunch break or some other convenient moment, or if you prefer, you may request to be invoiced after your visit at the time of scheduling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do tours last?
A guided tour of the Fort and Museum lasts approximately 2 hours. Most craft activities take 30-45 minutes, so if you have scheduled a craft activity or other program, please allow extra time. We typically provide 30-45 minutes for lunch.
How many students can you accommodate?
We can accommodate more than several hundred students, depending on which tour or program you select. Please call and speak to a member of our Education Department staff for specific information.
Do you have a space to eat lunch?
Yes, we have picnic tables in the fort area, or you may have a picnic lunch in a grassy area, just ask your tour guide or any staff member for a trash bag. If the weather is inclement we will provide an indoor space to eat.
Where are the restrooms located?
Restrooms are located in the museum, Center for History Education, as well as in the fort area. If you would like your students to use the restroom upon arrival, just let our staff know and we can accommodate this request prior to the admission process.
What if our group is late?
Don’t panic. If you are able, give us a call and let us know so we can adjust the schedule. Our staff is very flexible and will adapt the schedule to make it all work, however, sometimes this requires a shortening of a station or combining groups. Please know we will do our best to make it a fabulous experience within your time frame.
Do the tours and activities meet PA Education Standards?
Yes, and not just in history. We are a multidisciplinary site! All of our tours and programs are aligned to the PA State Standards. A complete list is available in our Education Department brochure or upon request. Please direct your request to Matt Gault at 724-238-9701 or education@fortligonier.org.
Where can we keep lunches and other items brought on the trip?
Lunches can be placed in coolers or boxes on our porch area. For the safety of all students, backpacks are required to remain on the bus or in a vehicle. Teachers and school nurses are permitted to carry a bag.
Do you have food and drinks available for purchase?
Fort Ligonier currently does not sell any beverages or snacks. Old-fashioned candy is available for sale in our museum store. The water fountain located in the Center for History Education also serves as a filling station for water bottles. A Get Go Convenience Store is located directly across the street from the museum entrance.

Field Trip Options

Virtual Tour Options 

We have developed virtual programs for you and your students!

Virtual Programs Guide will be available soon.  Please call for details.

Guided Tour

Guided tours are led by education department docents and begin in either the fort or museum galleries. Docents share information, ask questions, tell stories, and lead students in historical analysis, critical thinking, and interpretation.

Cost: $9 per student

Chaperone-Guided Tour

This is a self-guided experience in which the group chaperones are responsible for leading and managing their group throughout the fort and museum galleries.

Cost: $6 per student

History à la carte? Or Build Your Own Visit?

Start with a guided tour and build your own experience by selecting from one (or more) of the hands-on history options. Activity costs are per student and additional to your tour fee. With every 10 paying student visitors, 1 complimentary adult ticket will be issued. Additional adults over the allotted complimentary tickets will be charged $9.00 per person.

Call Matt Gault at 724-238-9701 for more detailed information.

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Resources

In this link you will find various activities, lessons, and videos that can be used in your classroom or at home. This resource list is always growing so continue to check back for new information! If you have any questions do not hesitate to call.

 

EITC For Schools

What is EITC and how can it help my students?

The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax credit program in Pennsylvania that allows approved businesses to donate their state tax money to an approved educational organization in the state. Fort Ligonier is a qualified to receive these monies and can then pass them on to public school students.

EITC funds can help offset the cost of your field trip by covering the admission costs, up to $10 per student. These funds are limited and are on a first-come basis. For more information about these funds, contact Mary Manges, Director of Education at mmanges@fortligonier.org or 724-238-9701.

What about non-public schools?
Non-public schools do not qualify for funds under the Education Improvement Organization portion of EITC. Occasionally, we have other grants to help offset the cost of programs and field trip visits. Contact the education department for more information.

Early Learners

Young children have boundless curiosity about the world around them. Fort Ligonier encourages our youngest visitors (from birth through preschool) to use that natural curiosity to explore the wonders of history by providing a structured environment to engage with history, develop literacy skills, learn to follow instructions and grow creatively.

Fort Ligonier is a great place for early learners to use a variety of educational materials, artifacts, activities and experiences that support active learning. Trained museum educators and volunteers inspire an early love of learning through developmentally appropriate educational techniques. Parents or caregivers partner with their child in all aspects of these learning experiences.

Stay posted for more updates, programs and activities designed for Early Learners.

Schedule a guided tour experience for your little learners. Contact our Education Department at 724.238.9701 to make a reservation or for more information.