Fort Necessity National Battlefield

The battlefield, fort and surrounding are is very cool and we'll maintained. I would definitely recommend going big you are interested in history. There are picnic areas so you could take a lunch and spend the day hiking around or just spend a few hours and tour the museum and see the fort.
5 8 years ago (14-05-2018)

Very informative museum and stops along the trails. Loved that we could bring our dog. Many tourists were disappointed that the tavern wasn't open. It would have been a great opportunity for everyone to get that part of history as well especially my children.
4 8 years ago (06-04-2018)

This was the site where George Washington suffered his first military defeat in the French and Indian war. After ambushing a French expedition down the road a few miles in Jumonville Glen (also part of Fort Necessity NB) he realized the French would retaliate. He built a small stockade and earthworks and took shelter with 400 Virginia soldiers. When the French attacked, he realized the fort was built in a poor location and indefensible. After suffering 100 causalities the French allowed Washington and his troops to surrender and return to Virginia. It was Washington's only military surrender in his career. This park itself is wonderful. New, modern visitor center with excellent exhibits. Great movie and a nice pathway that leads you to the earthworks and the reconstructed stockade. You'll be amazed at how small it is! Make sure to take the drive and visit the nearby Jumonville Glen which is 6 miles up the road. It gives a beautiful taste of what the wilderness was like in 1755!
5 8 years ago (29-04-2018)

The visitor center is great and you will want to take the time to watch the short film they have. Highly recommended!
5 8 years ago (29-03-2018)

This historic battlefield has been on my Bucket list for years and never realized how close I was to it and how nice a park that it is. The Visitor's center was build in 2005 and is very modern with a great deal of exhibits and a gift shop. The park grounds are very nice and the trails are easy to navigate. There is usually a volunteer there everyday doing a living history reenactment. Once you are at the Fort site your are only about 500 yards from the Mount Washington Tavern and it is a lovely historical site too. Once you get back on The National Highway you are only about 1.2 miles away from General Braddock's grave site. This is a very nice day trip for the history buff or family.
5 9 years ago (23-08-2017)