News Release

Park set to mark observance of the 271st anniversary of the first shots on the road to the American Revolution

Date: May 11, 2025

Fort Necessity National Battlefield News Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian Reedy, 724-329-5470

Farmington, PA- On Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25, 2025, Fort Necessity National Battlefield will host a living history program showcasing 18th century camp life near the reconstructed Fort Necessity to observe the 271st anniversary of the skirmish at Jumonville Glen. Volunteers, staff and living historians will portray members of the French and British armies as well as Native Americans who served at the Great Meadows in July of 1754.

"We are quite fortunate to have park volunteers who give of their time and resources to portray the three cultures at Fort Necessity," said Fort Necessity National Battlefield Site Manager and Chief of Interpretation Brian Reedy. "They make this program possible to honor those who fought and died at the Great Meadows."

On both Saturday and Sunday, programs led by park rangers will occur at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. with period weapons firing demonstrations at the conclusion of each program taking place in the great meadow. On Tuesday, May 28 at 7 a.m., a park ranger-led walk starts from the Jumonville Glen parking area and highlights the momentous events of that fateful May morning. The real time program takes place rain or shine, and visitors are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy closed toe shoes.

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

Fort Necessity National Battlefield is a unit of the National Park Service and the site of the opening battle of the French and Indian War that ended with the removal of French power from North America. National Parks are protected by the Archaeology Resources Protection Act. For more information about Fort Necessity National Battlefield, call the park visitor center at 724-329-5805 or visit the park's webpage at www.nps.gov/fone

About the Jumonville Affair 
Jumonville Glen is a section of Fort Necessity National Battlefield. At dawn, May 28, 1754, three cultures clashed at Jumonville Glen. This skirmish began the seven-year French and Indian War. Virginia provincial troops under the British flag, commanded by 22-year-old Lieutenant Colonel George Washington, were led to the glen by Natives from Seneca, Oneida and other allied Tribes to the unsuspecting French camped there. For nearly fifteen minutes the glen was filled with gunfire. In the aftermath, a global war ensued.