Tucked into the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, Fort Necessity National Battlefield in Farmington is where history took a dramatic turn. In the summer of 1754, 22-year-old George Washington faced his first major military test. The clash here marked the beginning of the French and Indian War, and this battlefield became the only site where Washington ever surrendered. This was one of the stops on a road trip I took with my friend Lisa to visit some of the lesser-known National Park Service units.

Exploring the Battlefield

We got to Fort Necessity about 8a.m. to do a self-guided walking tour of the grounds open sunrise to sunset. We started at the visitor center (open 9 a.m.–5 p.m.) and walked the short path winding through meadows and forest to the reconstructed circular fort. Make sure to stop and read the signs to learn about Washington’s fateful battle. On the crisp fall morning with no one else around, it felt like we were walking back in time.

Inside the small log fort, you can peek into a log cabin filled with barrels, wooden boxes, and a British flag. It’s a glimpse of what Washington and his men hastily built in just five days. It’s unfathomable to imagine nearly 400 men packed into such a precarious position and surrounding woods as rain poured down and musket fire echoed across the field.

A Scenic Drive and the Braddock Road Trace

Before grabbing breakfast, we detoured on an unexpected scenic drive through the forest to the picnic area. Even if you’re not planning to picnic, it’s worth the drive. The winding road feels like slipping into another time, especially since the picnic area itself was developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal.

From the picnic area, we followed a short section of the Braddock Road Trace. This faint trail traces the path of General Edward Braddock’s ill-fated 1755 expedition to capture Fort Duquesne (present-day Pittsburgh). Marching through this rugged terrain with British regulars and colonial militia, including Washington, Braddock’s army was ambushed and decisively defeated. Hiking along the Braddock Road Trace today, surrounded by quiet woods, you get a sense of the difficulty of moving troops through this wilderness and the significance of this route in shaping the early military history of North America.

Breakfast Stop: Fuel Coffee Works

Since the Mount Washington Tavern doesn’t open until 10 a.m., we had time to kill after walking the battlefield. So we headed into Farmington for coffee and breakfast at Fuel Coffee Works.

This quirky gas station–themed coffee shop is a gem of small-town Pennsylvania. A cappuccino and a breakfast sandwich hit the spot, and the playful decor added a little fun to our morning of heavy history. It turned out to be the perfect pause—enough time to recharge before heading back to the park.

Mount Washington Tavern: Life Along the National Road

Just past 10 a.m., we stopped at Mount Washington Tavern, on the main grounds of Fort Necessity National Battlefield. Built around 1830, this stagecoach stop sat along the historic National Road, America’s first federally funded highway. Inside, the tavern is now a museum that immerses you in early 19th-century travel.

When we returned to the tavern right at opening, we had the entire place to ourselves. Wandering through the rooms without another soul in sight made it easier to picture stagecoach travelers stopping here almost two centuries ago.

On the main floor, the parlor showcases elegant furnishings where travelers might have relaxed with conversation or music, while the bar room buzzed with gambling, smoking, and debates over politics. The dining room was the busiest space, serving family-style meals to weary passengers on tight stagecoach schedules. Upstairs, seven bedrooms give you a sense of overnight accommodations—often cramped, shared, and far from comfortable. Wash basins and chamber pots were luxuries.

The tavern was named for George Washington, who once owned the land though not the building itself. It stands today as a reminder of how the National Road connected communities and fueled westward expansion in the early 1800s.

Learn about the National Road at the Visitor Center

Before heading out, we drove back over to the visitor center, mainly to make a quick restroom break. Both of us were glad we did as it’s filled with exhibits on the building of the National Road.

Braddock’s Grave

On the way back toward Uniontown, Lisa and I stopped at Braddock’s Grave, a memorial to British General Edward Braddock, who died during a disastrous campaign in 1755. Down a gravel path, you’ll find the original burial site tucked into the old roadbed.

Jumonville Glen: The Skirmish That Changed the World

A half-mile loop trail through the woods leads to Jumonville Glen, a secluded ravine where history took a violent turn on May 28, 1754. Here, Washington’s militia, alongside Native allies, surprised a small French party. In just 15 minutes, ten French soldiers were killed and 21 captured in what became known as the Jumonville Affair.

The site remains haunting in its remoteness. Standing among the trees and rock ledges known as Washington’s Rocks, you can picture the chaos of that morning—the confusion of soldiers just waking up to gunfire, the clash of cultures and allegiances, and the first sparks of a global conflict. Many historians consider this the true opening of the French and Indian War.

Why Visit Fort Necessity

Fort Necessity National Battlefield is more than just a stop along U.S. 40 and the National Road. It’s a place where you can walk the same ground as a young George Washington, explore the story of America’s earliest highway system, and stand in the quiet of Jumonville Glen where the first shots of a global war rang out.

As part of a road trip with Lisa to discover lesser-known National Park Service units, Fort Necessity stood out for its layered history and unexpected beauty. It’s one of five National Park Service sites in western Pennsylvania. Friendship Hill National Historic Site is just 35 minutes away.