Last updated: March 29, 2021
Thing to Do
Watch Road of Necessity in the Visitor Center
NPS Photo/Tom Markwardt
The twenty-minute orientation film Road of Necessity takes viewer along the path from Washington's first trip over the Alleghenies to the creation of the National Road.
Filmed at historic locations within Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands and western Maryland, Road of Necessity presents pivital but often forgotten moments in American history that transformed the nation.
Filmed at historic locations within Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands and western Maryland, Road of Necessity presents pivital but often forgotten moments in American history that transformed the nation.
Details
Duration
20 Minutes
The film lasts 20 minutes and starts at least once every 30 minutes.
Activity
Park Film
The twenty-minute orientation film takes viewer along the path from Washington's first trip over the Alleghenies to the creation of the National Road.
Age(s)
The film is not rated. It is intended as an educational program for all ages. Parents should be aware there are scenes of warfare including musket firing and implied blows with tomahawks.
Pets Allowed
No
Pets are not allowed in the Visitor Center or other park buildings.
Activity Fee
No
There are no entrance fees or fees for publicly offered programs at Fort Necessity National Battlefield.
Location
The Fort Necessity/National Road Interpretive and Education Center
The Fort Necessity/National Road Interpretive and Education Center is the visitor center for the park. It contains a theater for viewing the park film and other programs, museum exhibits on the French and Indian War and The National Road, a bookstore/gift shop, a classroom, and offices.
Reservations
No
No reservations are required. As of March 2021, the 75 seat theater is limited to 36 patrons. Even with this limited capacity, there is very, very rarely a requirement to wait for another showing.
Season
Year Round
This indoor activity is offer year round when the Visitor Center is open.
Time of Day
Day
The first showing is at 9:00 a.m. when the visitor center opens. The program is offered every half-hour. The last showing begins at 4:30 p.m.
Accessibility Information
The theater is accessible for wheel-chairs and strollers. The film is open captioned. Audio description of the film is available with portable players availble from the visitor center desk. You may use your own 3.5 mm ear phones or borrow a head set. You may call 724-329-5805 in advance so park staff can check the batteries and test the device.