The Reconstructed Fort Necessity

Open year round the reconstructed fort is a short walk from the Interpretive Center.

NPS/Victoria Stauffenberg

Quick Facts

Location:

3 Washington Parkway, Farmington, PA 15437

Significance:

George Washington's first battle and the beginning of the French and Indian War

Designation:

National Battlefield

Amenities

4 listed

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

In May 1754, after the skirmish at Jumonville Glen, George Washington, built Fort Necessity, in the only logical place, an open meadow called the Great Meadows. Five weeks later, on July 3rd, 1754, the French attacked.

After fighting all day in heavy rain, the British decided to discuss surrender terms with the French command. The following day, on July 4th, 1754, the French will take control of Fort Necessity and burn the stockade and cabin to the ground. Today, visitors can walk 300 yards from the Visitor Center to see the battlefield and reconstructed Fort Necessity. The trail is paved all the way to the fort and open year-round.

Archaeology in the 1950s proved that today’s stockade and earthworks (the low grassy mounds) footprint and location are the same as the 1754 structures. Surrounding the reconstructed fort is the Great Meadows battlefield, which has been reestablished to match the 1754 landscape as closely as possible. 

Follow the link to learn about the Fort Necessity campaign.

• The French Arrival and Battle

  
  

  An audio clip from the self guided tour that describes the French attack on Fort Necessity
  Audio Transcript

  After three days encamped in the Great meadow, Washington learned of a group of French Soldiers patrolling the area. At the urging of Tanagharrison – “The Half King,” Washington made a pre-emptive strike. He then returned to his camp, and strengthened the defenses by erecting a stockade and a storehouse. After reinforcements arrived, Washington continued on his road building mission.

  Upon learning that a large French force had been dispatched from Fort Duquesne to attack him, he returned to “Fort Necessity” in the Great Meadow. He had his men dig earthworks: trenches and mounds, to improve the forts defenses. The French arrived two days after the British forces returned to the fort. On the morning of July 3, they surrounded the fort and there was brisk fire from both sides throughout the day. A steady rain fell, increasing as the day went on, filling the trenches and drenching the combatants on both sides. Though the French were unable to capture the fort, their position seemed advantageous enough that at the end of the day they were able to convince the British to surrender.