Fort Necessity National Battlefield

Pleasant and very knowledgeable park rangers. Amazing that such a small fort was built as they sure seemed like just sitting ducks. Park also has a playground for kids and a 20 minute video definitely worth watching.

An American history buff would really like this one. The museum was extensive and very informative. The staff was very friendly and informative. We were greeted upon entry. Pointed in the right direction of the museum, the theatre for a video and the fort and tavern outside the main building. I like going to these exhibits and museums. Learning about things that add to what you already know about American history. A very informative visit.

For necessity is a small National park where George Washington lost a battle, and learned some valuable lessons.

Nice grounds. Playground for kids. Easy walk to where they shoot the muskets. Very informative video. Nice displays.

I'd expect to spend 1-2 hours here for a visit. They do a good job making dry material more interesting.

What an EXCELLENT stop on our road trip!! Our Buffalo-based fam' recently road-tripped to WV for Christmas break. On our way home, we decided to veer off course a half hour to check out Fort Necessity, especially for our twelve-year old history buff son. I'm glad we did!! This is a really well done historic site!! That is completely FREE to visit!! There is a sizable well-curated museum and theater complex. The park ranger managing the site was entirely hospitable and informative. He directed us to first watch the short film that runs hourly in the theater, which goes over the curious history of the site. Fort Necessity is the location of George Washington's only surrender. He was merely 22 years old, still fighting on the British side, this time against the French. Fort Necessity was built by Washington, well, out of necessity in haste to protect his troops from French retaliation after he supposedly assassinated the French military leader Lumonville, (there are contradictory stories of the actual nature of this event). The French and Indians won the battle here at Fort Necessity and forced Washington into a surrender. It was a bit of a comedy of errors, with Washington signing a wet smudged surrender decree in French that he didn't understand, which inadvertently kicked off the French & Indian War. There is more to this fascinating story about Washington who at this point in his life and his military career was a young man learning the lessons that would mold him into the Revolutionary War hero he eventually became 20+ years later. In some ways, the road to the American revolution really began here. In addition to all of the interesting history, museum displays, the battlefield and fort, and the helpful park ranger, there is a nice gift shop too. I purchased a beautiful "Join or Die" glass ornament to bring home. Our whole fam' of four, which includes a tween and a teen, really enjoyed this educational stop in our road trip adventure. If you are in the area, definitely check out Fort Necessity to learn something new about the making of America.

A very interesting site that covers two major pieces of history: Fort Necessity, as the name states, and the National Road. Fort Necessity is linked to a familiar face in American history: George Washington. There is a very nice visitors center that offers a short film and some great exhibits and artifacts that go into more depth. There were several interactive exhibits that were particularly intriguing, or - in the case of the one that had historical figures discussing traveling on the National Road - making one thankful that some things have evolved since then! We took the short trail out to see the fort itself, which you can go inside and walk around. There's also some good signage to indicate where the tree line would have been at the time of the battle. A fun playground designed to fit in with the site is located behind the visitor center. There are additional sites one can see that are related to what happened here, such as Mount Washington Tavern (National Road), Jumonville Glen and Braddock Grave, although some are seasonal so check hours in advance. The staff were all friendly, there is a nice big parking lot by the visitors center, and a Junior Ranger program is available.

What a cool place! We were in the area and decided to stop in. I wasn't sure how my six year olds would enjoy it, but it was actually a perfect experience for them! We spent most of our time in the museum because it was a rainy day. We got the Junior ranger (and not so Junior ranger) books and went on our way.
The way to start is by the 20 minute video that covers the history of the site from initial visit by Washington to the development of the National road. It has gun shots and death depicted (understandably so) so if you have sensitive kids it is something to keep in mind.
The museum is interactive itself (push buttons to hear information from various historical figures, touch/feel different materials). It is engaging on its own, but it's fun to follow along with the ranger books. I know it helped all Of us pay better attention and retain information better.
If you complete a certain number of Activities in the Junior ranger book you get sworn in as a Junior ranger (complete with a nice wooden pin and fun ceremony).
Right outside the museum/visitors center is a small playground area with a historically themed slide and climber. It was a nice way for kids to burn energy after being so focused in the museum portion.
Staff was amazingly informative and friendly.
If you have an interest in local and/or national history it's definitely worth a visit!

Excellent spot to enjoy history and take in a bit of the Laurel Highlands. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with the Ranger on staff, he was running the gift shop and asked if I had any questions. I asked about the Native American tribes that contributed to the war itself, he gave me literature and even told me what he knew.

Super impressed, we can wait to go back. PLUS - we were able to bring our pup.

Nice little National Battlefield to visit. We watched a presentation done by a park guide on the whole History of the fort and it's significance to the French and Indian wars and it's tie to the eventual Revolutionary War. Replication of the fort is cool to see. Saw a musket firing. Visitor center has nice walk through displays. We were a little crunched for time but you could spend a good couple hours here at least. More to see than you'd expect!

I grew up in the 1970's, and that means I lived through the massive build up to the bicentennial in 1976. All things colonial, independence, and American frontier were covered everywhere - including Saturday morning cartoons. Remember US of Archie?

As a result, I am thoroughly enamored with these great national parks like Ft Necessity. The story is compelling and helps lay the foundation for what would become the USA. Like most events, it is actually complicated. It is a large collection of events before and after this one that makes the battle at Ft Necessity important. Take the time to visit Jumonville Glen just a few miles down the road and Braddock's grave (which happens to be within a few hundred feet of Jumonville Glen.). Even more worth visiting are Bushy Run battle field and Friendship Hill. These places all are woven together, some tightly, in the ribbon that is the history of our birth as a nation and people.

I grew up wearing pilgrim hats, replacing lights with candles and washing laundry in the backyard in a basin in my free time. To say I was obsessed with primitively living and 1700s/1800s culture would be an understatement. So, it goes without saying that I love hopping off the road for sites like Fort Necessity no matter where I'm traveling.

On this particular trip we were headed home from Ohiopyle when we decided to swing by Fort Necessity. The museum and living outdoor museum are both free experiences. For the amount of exhibits, you can easily cover it all in 1-2 hours. Our visit included a somewhat too long historical reenactment from the French Indian war with an estimated 15-20 actors. I would recommend shortening this piece and making it easier for children to understand and engage. Following the reenactment they set off a small life-sized canon and visitors were able to explore the fort, see what they were eating at the time and experience the wartime culture of Western Pennsylvania.

The indoor exhibit was modest in size but very interactive and well designed. There's also a small gift shop on site, ample parking and an 1800s themed playground for the kiddos behind the welcome center.