The Great Meadows

Fort Necessity sits in the wide open Great Meadows

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

1 Washington Parkway, Farmington, PA 15437

Amenities

4 listed

Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Trailhead, Wheelchair Accessible

The Great Meadows is a large, open meadow that was a large lake that has been filled in with glacial till. Due to the high water table, the meadow is clear of large trees, which are unable to be supported in the wet soil.

In 1754 George Washington selected the Great Meadows for the location of a supply stockade because of its location being half way between Cumberland, MD and the Forks of the Ohio, but also because it was a place where cattle could graze. Tactically, it was well placed because due to the weapons of the time, if the attackers were to move on the location, they would need to come into the Meadow and expose themselves to defender fire.

This supply stockade would be later reinforced when George Washington and his forces could no longer retreat from the French advances after the Jumonville Affair. A large redoubt, or breastworks, were built for the men to stand behind and fire, creating what would become "a fort of necessity", the Fort Necessity we know of today.

• The Great Meadows

  
  

  An audio clip from the self guided tour that describes what you may see in The Great Meadows
  Audio Transcript

  As you approach Fort Necessity you are entering the “Great Meadow”. In this bowl shaped depression, water in the soil comes very near the surface, preventing trees from growing large. This (opening in the forest, 200 to 300 yard wide and about a mile long,) was an important landmark in 1754, when the surrounding forest had never been logged and was filled with much larger trees. In the 250 years since the battle, Logging and farming have increased the size of the meadow. Studies of the pollen in the soil have revealed the historic tree line, which was an important factor in the battle. The National Park Service is working to restore the Great Meadow to its historic size, shape and plant composition. On the hillside to your right, you may notice young Oak and Chestnut trees that have been planted as part of this project. These will take some time to grow. In the spring through fall, signs are erected to help you visualize the extent of the meadow.