Fort Necessity National Historic Site offers us insight into the colonial history of the United States. But it’s important to remember, we trusted 22-year-olds a lot more back in the 1700s than we do now. It’s not because life is more complicated now, because that’s arguable. Back then we (and by we I mean not us but our British colonial overlords) told a young man to take a bunch of men and forge a road where previously there was none and along the way keep them fed and healthy, avoid dying to miscellaneous but numerous possible causes, keep from antagonizing the native people too greatly, and oh yeah, try not to engage in hostilities with a competing and definitely unfriendly adversarial colonial overlord (France).
Some Necessary History
So in 1754, George Washington, a lieutenant colonel already at age 22, set off with his Virginia militia through western Maryland to carve out what became the first federally funded and maintained highway — now U.S. 40. Along the way he encountered a French patrol and ambushed them. Stories differ about the actual events — whether Washington and his men surprised them at dawn and before the enemy even had a chance to pick up their weapons, killed them despite pleas for truce, as the French claim, or whether he tried to surprise them, goofed, and there was an honest confrontation between the two sides that he ended up winning.
Joseph Coulon de Villiers, Sieur de Jumonville was a French Canadian military officer; his defeat and killing at the Battle of Jumonville Glen by forces led by Washington was one of the sparks that ignited the Seven Years’ War. (Accounts vary whether Jumonville was killed during the skirmish or whether he was wounded, subsequently taken prisoner by Washington’s forces, and then summarily executed by one of Washington’s Native American allies.) Regardless, Washington seriously pissed off the French, and he worried, accurately, that the French were hell bent on revenge.
Hence Fort Necessity, at Great Meadows, near Uniontown, PA. “A charming field for an encounter,” is supposedly what Washington said of the marshy, natural meadow surrounded by dense forest. He threw a few logs up, called it a fort, and settled down to await the French attack. The wait wasn’t long — just 30 days, during which time Washington and his men lengthened the new road by some 14 back-breaking miles.
A large French reprisal force attacked Fort Necessity and forced Washington to surrender on 4 July — the only time Washington ever surrendered. Washington and his men left, and the French burned the fort. The present day reconstruction is close proximity to what Washington had built.
Exploring Fort Necessity and More
At the center of the park is a replica of the original fort constructed by George Washington and his men in 1754. The fort is just a short walk from the visitor center, making it easily accessible. During the summer months, you can join ranger-led tours and watch demonstrations of historical weapons, which bring the story of the battle to life.
Another key attraction is the Mount Washington Tavern, a former stagecoach stop along the old National Road. This small museum offers a window into life in the mid-1800s, long after the events at Fort Necessity. You can take self-guided tours during the warmer months and gain greater understanding oon how the region grew in the decades following the French and Indian War.
A short drive from the main site are two additional historic locations. Braddock’s Grave, where British General Edward Braddock was buried after his failed campaign, offers a sobering reminder of the difficulties faced by early military expeditions. Jumonville Glen, where Washington first clashed with French forces, is another must-see spot, complete with outdoor exhibits that tell the story of that tense and pivotal encounter. Together, these sites help visitors understand both the immediate conflict and its broader historical impact.
Know Before You Go
What took Washington months to build takes us modern-day history buffs hours to drive — just three, in fact, if you’re coming from the Baltimore-Washington area. You want to go there for the history of the road, as well as the history related to George Washington’s life (he clearly learned some lessons during that time that later served him well) and the history related to the first battle of the French and Indian War.
For the most current information on operating hours, scheduled programs, and any seasonal variations, please check the official National Park Service website before your visit.
Getting there: 1 Washington Parkway, Farmington PA
Hours: Park grounds open sunrise to sunset. Visitor center open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed federal holidays.
Website: Fort Necessity
Looking for other fun daytrip destinations in the Laurel Highlands? Check out the articles below:
- Cucumber Falls in Ohiopyle State Park
- Fallingwater
- Flight 93 National Memorial
- Fort Ligonier
- Ghost Town Rail Trail
- Great Allegheny Passage Bridge to Bridge Ride
- Hannah’s Town Museum
- Kentuck Knob
- Laurel Highlands Pour Tour
- Laurel Hill State Park
- Linn Run State Park
- Nemacolin Castle Ghost Hunt
- Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
- Lincoln Highway Experience
- Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art – Ligonier
- Westmoreland Art Museum
- West Overton Industrial Village