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Organizational Information
Fort Necessity National Battlefield, located in Farmington in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands, is the only National Park site dedicated to commemorating the French and Indian War. The battle fought at Fort Necessity was the opening battle of that War, and marks George Washington's first battle and only surrender. Fort Necessity National Battlefield was established by an act of United States Congress in 1931 to "commemorate the Fort Necessity Campaign, the Braddock Campaign, George Washington's early military career and to protect the associated resources." Today, the park consists of the reconstructed Fort; the surrounding battlefield earthworks; Jumonville Glenn (the site of the critical skirmish preliminary to the full battle); General Braddock's grave and traces of Braddock's road.
The National Road Heritage Corridor (originally called the National Road State Heritage Park) was established in 1994 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to preserve, interpret and promote the first road in the United States that was planned, built and maintained by the federal government. Begun in 1811, the road stretches from Cumberland, Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois, with 90 miles running through Southwestern Pennsylvania. From the late 1820's through the 1850's, the National Road was the primary road connecting the established east to the western frontier. People, goods, services and ideas crossed the mountains from east with returning trade from the west. The debate over the development of the Road, then the constant use of the Road played a pivotal role in the political, economic and social development of the United States, contributing significantly to the nation's transformation from an agricultural to a commercial economy. The National Road passes in front of Fort Necessity, and includes other important historic landmarks such as The Mount Washington Tavern (built c.1827 on property once owned by George Washington) the Addison and Searights Tollhouses and Nemacolin Castle. The National Road Heritage Corridor passes through three Southwestern Pennsylvania Counties (Fayette, Washington and Green, two cities (Uniontown and Washington) and a number of townships, boroughs and unincorporated areas. Though the National Road runs through six states, the proposed Interpretive and Education Center will be the only National Park facility presenting this story.
In 1994, the National Park Service and the Pennsylvania State Heritage Parks Program joined in a federal, state and private sector partnership to advance the complementary missions of two of their respective sites. The result of this partnership is state of the art Interpretive and Education Center where the goals of quality education, interpretation and recreation envisioned by both institutions is realized on one site.
The development of this Center and the strong partnership is has created, eliminates duplication of efforts by the two agencies, saves resources and costs, and gives maximum value to our visitors.
Private Sector Partners
The completion of this facility would not have been possible without the vision and support of these private sector partners: The Eberly Foundation, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation, Anonymous, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, Howard Heinz Endowment, The Hillman Foundation, Inc., The Grable Foundation, and the Roy A Hunt Foundation.
French and Indian War 250th, Inc.
Fortuitously, the partnership to develop a new Interpretive and Education Center for Fort Necessity and the National Road dovetails with a larger initiative and collaboration. The 250th anniversary commemoration of this War began in 2004. French and Indian War sites in southwest Pennsylvania have been working together in collaborative programming and promotional activities for more than a decade. This "War for Empire Consortium" has evolved into the French and Indian War 250, Inc. It is intended to market all of Southwestern Pennsylvania's French and Indian War sites (including but not limited to Fort Ligonier, Fort Pitt and Bushy Run Battlefield). Visit www.frenchandindianwar250.org to learn more.
The goals and plans of Fort Necessity and the National Road are complementary, compatible and mutually beneficial. The new Interpretive and Education Center will provide a more efficient and cost effective means to tell related stories, protect resources, enhance economic development and encourage new and repeat visitation to the region.
Last updated: Thursday, 25-Aug-2005 17:39:23 Eastern Daylight Time
