Saturday, September 3, 2016
After we learned at our first NPS site, Friendship Hill NHS that we would need to visit the Fort Necessity NB site to get the Access Pass processed (see aforementioned link), We went via the directions given to us and stopped in Hopwood and had Subway for Lunch. The Subway was in a former National City Bank Branch built circa 1970s. Anyway, we proceeded to the main unit, although we saw signs along the way for both the Jumonville Glen and Braddock Grave Units. We headed to the Main Unit, which contains the Park Visitor Center that was built in 2005, I last visited the park in 2004. Besides the park unit is a picnic area, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's and the Mount Washington Tavern, a stagecoach stop on the National Road.
There is a paved path that goes for about 200 yards from the Visitor Center to the Reconstructed Fort that was reconstructed last in 1976. On significant weekends,there are demonstrations. As you make your way on this path, there are various waysides that tell the story of the French and Indian War here at the Fort and the timeline and such.
After visiting the fort for a brief moment, we retraced our steps back to the Visitor Center and took the climb to the Mount Washington Tavern, where every other hour they give guided tours of the two-story historic stop on the National Road. Outside there are waysides and other significant elements like a Conestoga Wagon and outbuidings, including a replica of a four-seater outhouse from that period. There is a parking lot for the faint of heart. Alas again, we retraced our steps yet another time to the Visitor Center, got in our car and headed west on the National Pike.
Our next stop was at the Braddock's Grave Unit, which in essence, a simple wayside. There is parking, however there are no hydration or comfort facilities, so be advised. Furthermore it is hilly terrain, so comfortable shoes are a must. The unit is simple as it has a monument (pictured) where the entombed remains are of General Edward Braddock. General Braddock was the forefront of the National Road before America's Independence and the birth of the National Road, he created the Braddock's road that was used in the French and Indian War between here and Fort Duquesne in Present-Day Pittsburgh. You can follow its trace from Fort Necessity to Fort Duquesne today and the bookstore at the Visitor Center has this information. You can walk on a short length (within park boundaries) of the Braddock Road Trace, and their are signs stating such.
Furthermore, you can follow the walkways within the unit to various waysides, including a wooded site where General Braddock was entombed before the creation of the present monument in the 1910s.
The last stop on the Fort Necessity NB Unit tour is the Jumonville Glen Unit. This unit, has some similar features as the Braddock Unit (No Hydration of Comfort Facilities.) However, it is more remote and wild and it is for that reason to resemble the beginning of the battle at Fort Necessity. The name Jumonville, was named for a Captain in the French and Indian War who was stationed at nearby Dunbar's Camp (on the Braddock Road), where the present day United Methodist Camp is , just down the road from the turn to this unit's entrance. Story has it that this Jumonville fellow was "doing his business" here was encountered by Indians, and thus a skirmish occurred. Therefore, he went to the Great Meadows where a young George Washington was encamped and the festivities began. Here there are cliffs and rocks and a few waysides.
Park Synopsis
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal of French power from North America. The stage was set for the American Revolution.
If You Go:
Plan 1 1/2 to 2 hrs to see the historic sites in the main unit of the park. Add an hour to visit Braddock's grave and Jumonville Glen sites.Entrance to Fort Necessity National Battlefield is allowed from sunrise until sunset. The park visitor center and Mount Washington Tavern museum have specific hours.The visitor center is open year-round from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is only closed three days out of the year, they are Thanksgiving, New Years' and Chistmas. Inside is a theatre, bookstore exhibits and Modern Comfort Facilities.
The Mount Washington Tavern is now a self-guided museum is open May 1 through October 31 daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It, along with the reconstructed fort is about 200 yards from the Main Visitor center and requires an uphill walk. Jumonville Glen is Open May 1 - October 31, while the Braddock Grave Unit is open during the summer months. Comfort facilities when the Visitor Center is closed are located within the picnic area, however this is not recommended for RV's and other large vehicular traffic as it requires navigating a hairpin turn.
Accessibility
Mobility
The Interpretive and Education Center, fort reconstruction, and the first floor of the Mount Washington Tavern are all wheelchair accessible.
There is a 200 yard paved trail from the Interpretive Center to the Fort. Wheelchairs are available for loan. Please ask at the desk.
The ramp from the parking lot to the Mount Washington Tavern winds around the building and is about 150 yards long. The second floor of the Mount Washington Tavern is not wheelchair accessible.
The picnic area, while handicapped accessible, does have some uneven terrain.
Hearing
The orientation film is closed captioned. Audio programs on the exhibits in the Interpretive and Education Center are mirrored in the text.
Sight
Audio descriptions of the images in the orientation film are available. Ask at the front desk for the headset. Text in exhibits is large and high contrast. Text is mirrored and supplemented with audio programs.
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