Fort Necessity Long Range Interpretive Plan

Home , Battle of Fort Necessity

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

Prepared by: Interpretive Solutions, Inc. 732 Westbourne Road West Chester, PA 19382 for:

Fort Necessity National Battlefield One Washington Parkway Farmington, PA 15437

Task order T4160070202 Performed under contract number C1180070004

May 2009

U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service

Message from the Superintendent

Fort Necessity National Battlefield has witnessed major changes in the last five years, including the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the battle in 2004, the completion of the Interpretive and Education Center in 2005, and traffic- flow improvements and a new entrance road as part of the implementation of the General Management Plan. The Interpretive Center provides a major new facility and improved visitor services. It offers a unique opportunity to learn about “The War That Made America,” revitalizing America’s only national park dedicated to the history of the French and Indian War and the National Road. The Long Range Interpretive Plan process assesses where we are and where we hope to be in the near future. Part One of this document defines the new park themes, describes desired visitor experiences, lists issues and challenges, and identifies the park’s audience. Part Two describes the Battlefield and its associated sites. Part Three of the document lists specific actions the park will take to meet our vision for the future of interpretation and visitor services.

Fort Necessity is supported through partnerships with many local organizations. The park’s interpretive staff engaged hundreds of park staff and partners throughout the planning process. This collaborative effort produced a comprehensive and inclusive look at how we will interpret the early history of our nation for hundreds of thousands of park visitors in the future. I hope you will take time to review this important plan.

Joanne Hanley Superintendent, Fort Necessity National Battlefield

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Contents Table of Contents

Superintendent’s Message iii

Chapter 1: Foundation for Planning 1 Introduction 1 Comprehensive Interpretive Planning 1 Purpose & Mission 2 A Vision for Interpretation 2 Management Goals 2 Connecting People to Parks 4 Accessibility 5 Significance 6 Primary Interpretation Themes 7 Visitor Experience Goals 8 Issues & Influences Affecting Interpretation 9

Chapter 2: The Resource 13 The Regional Setting 13 The Park/Site 14 The Audience 18 The Interpretive Experience 19 Natural Resources 27

Chapter 3: Action Plan 31 The Planning Process 31 Needs and Priorities 32 Implementation 33 Evaluation 39 Timeline for Implementation 41 Interpretive Services by Media 49 Planning Team 53

List of Tables & Appendices vii

Table of Contents

Tables

Table 1. Timeline for Implementation 43 Table 2. Ongoing Programs 50 Table 3. Timeline of Interpretive Services by Media 51

Appendices

Appendix A. Fort Necessity’s Affiliated Indian Nations 57 Appendix B. Federal Regulations Regarding American Indian Consultation 58 Appendix C. Interpretive Matrix for Curriculum-based Audiences 59

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Foundation for Planning

Introduction

Fort Necessity National Battlefield marks Interpretive Plan (CIP) is the basic plan- the beginning of the American experience. ning document for interpretation and was There, in the Great Meadows, a young, formally adopted as part of NPS guidelines untested British officer and his troops in 1995. Responsibility for creating the fought a losing battle against French forces CIP lies with each park’s superintendent. and started a war that would realign the global balance of power and set the stage What is a Comprehensive for the American Revolution. Interpretive Plan? The CIP process helps parks make choices. The Long Range Interpretive Plan It provides guidance to park staff: it helps provides a fresh look at the significance them clarify their objectives, identify their of this important American landmark. audiences, and choose the best mix of It assesses the site’s themes, and the ways media and personal services to use to in which those themes are communicated convey park themes. to diverse audiences. It provides direction for the future, laying out the specific, Although the CIP as defined in Director’s practical actions that will help interpretive Order 6 is composed of specific elements, programs at Fort Necessity remain relevant good planning is customized to meet each and appropriate as management and staff park’s needs and situation. The CIP is not look ahead. It ensures that visitors to the a recipe. Rather, it is a guide to effective, site, both actual and virtual, will have many goal-driven planning. While it considers diverse opportunities to connect with the past interpretive programming, it is pri- meanings that are inherent in the resource. marily a forward-looking document that concentrates on actions needed to create The planning process engaged not just or sustain a vigorous and effective inter- interpretive staff, but also a wide array of pretive program for the future. All CIPs partners, stakeholders, consultants and have three components: the Long Range representatives of other park divisions. Interpretive Plan (LRIP), a series of The plan is a collaborative effort, intended Annual Implementation Plans (AIP) and to produce a comprehensive and inclusive an Interpretive Database (ID). look at the way we interpret this vital period of America’s beginnings. What is a Long Range Interpretive Plan? The heart of the CIP is the Long Range Comprehensive Interpretive Plan (LRIP). The LRIP Interpretive Planning defines the overall vision and long-term (5-7 year) interpretive goals of the park. The National Park Service (NPS) has The process that develops the LRIP adopted a unified planning approach for defines realistic strategies and actions that interpretation and education. This ap- work toward achievement of the interpr proach combines planning for interpretive tive goals. media, personal interpretive services, and education programs. The Comprehensive

1 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

The Annual Implementation Plan The mission statement of the National and Interpretive Database Park Service at Fort Necessity National The completed LRIP is a critical part Battlefield is an outgrowth of the park’s of the CIP, but it does not stand alone. legislated mandate found in the 1931 Actions in the LRIP are divided into Act of Congress (46 STAT 1522), directing annual, achievable steps and reproduced the National Park Service to commemo- in the Annual Implementation Plan (AIP, rate the Battle of Fort Necessity. the second component of the CIP). Creating a series of these AIPs that Today, the park consists of a reconstructed implement the actions outlined in the Fort Necessity including the surround- LRIP simplifies the park’s annual planning ing battlefield earthworks; Jumonville process. The third component of the CIP Glen (the site of the critical preliminary is the Interpretive Database (ID), an on‑ skirmish); General Braddock’s grave, and going compilation of information, reports, traces of Braddock’s road. bibliographies, plans, and inventories that document the LRIP’s ongoing progress. A Vision For Interpretation

Purpose & Mission The following vision statement guides interpretation at Fort Necessity: This section presents a brief narrative of the legislated purpose of the park. “Through the implementation of a comprehensive and effective long range The purpose of Fort Necessity National interpretive plan, Fort Necessity National Battlefield is to commemorate the Fort Battlefield will provide interpretive services Necessity campaign, Braddock’s that ensure park visitors, educational groups campaign, and George Washington’s and local residents are able to appreciate, early military career, and to protect understand and enjoy the cultural and associated resources. Located in natural resources of the park and actively Farmington in Pennsylvania’s Laurel contribute towards stewardship of these Highlands, Fort Necessity National resources.” Battlefield is the only National Park site dedicated to commemorating the French Management Goals and Indian War. These goals describe management’s intent The mission of Fort Necessity National in offering interpretive and educational Battlefield is to preserve and maintain programs and services. both the natural and cultural resources of the Battlefield and to interpret these Management goals at Fort Necessity are: resources to the visiting public as well as the scientific and scholarly community. • Protect Park Resources The National Park Service, in cooperation Natural and cultural resources and with its partners, extends the benefit of associated values are protected, restored, natural and cultural resource conservation and maintained in good and outdoor recreation throughout condition and managed within their Southwest Pennsylvania. broader ecosystem and cultural context.

2 Foundation for Planning

◦◦ All interpretive programming and non-personal services include preservation and stewardship messages. Programs are designed to have the minimum impact on park resources.

• Provide for Visitor and Employee Safety Visitors safely enjoy and are satisfied with the availability, accessibility, diversity, and quality of park facilities, services, and appropriate recreational opportunities. ◦◦ Conduct teacher in-service training Above: ”Soldier Life” ◦◦ All daily programs and special events for teachers attaining continuing is among Fort Necessity’s most are planned and conducted in such a education credits. This training helps popular programs. way as to insure visitor and employee teachers prepare students for visits to safety. the park and provides teachers with resources to tell the park stories in the • Provide for Visitor Enjoyment classroom. Park visitors and the general public understand and appreciate the ◦◦ Plan and implement the follow- preservation of parks and their ing special events, including but resources for this and future generations. not limited to George Washington Art Contest, Pike Days, Jumonville ◦◦ Park visitor centers are open and Anniversary, July 3 Memorial, Brad- operated by NPS staff, interns and dock Memorial, British and French volunteers seven days per week Encampments, American Indian year-round. Encampment, AG Band Concert, and Festifall at FRHI. ◦◦ Interpretive staff and volunteers conduct interpretive programs ◦◦ Develop engaging and compelling including talks, tours and new events. demonstrations on and offsite. ◦◦ Evaluate interpretive operations by ◦◦ Interpretation presents curriculum auditing programs and participating based programs for schools, scouts in NPS visitor surveys each July. Use and adult groups. responses to audits and surveys to improve programs. ◦◦ Staff presents historic weapons demonstrations for general public ◦◦ Adopt a program of evaluation to and school students. improve interpretation and education programs, as recommended by NPS’s

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Interpretation and Education centers, conducting tours, Renaissance Action Plan, 2007. presenting programs and assist with special events. ◦◦ Maintain existing media and improve interpretive media to meet ◦◦ Provide staffing and resources twenty-first century standards. necessary to achieve program standards, as recommended by ◦◦ Encourage and adopt innovation NPS’s Interpretation and Education in interpretive and educational Renaissance Action Plan, 2007. technology. ◦◦ Expand interpretation and ◦◦ Design interpretation and education education partner training programs to serve all Americans (improve training of volunteers), (multiple points of view), while as recommended by NPS’s retaining historical and scholarly Interpretation and Education integrity. Renaissance Action Plan, 2007.

• Strengthen and preserve natural and cultural resources and enhance recreational opportunities managed by partners

◦◦ Park staff will work with park partners to promote interpretive program goals.

◦◦ Enable partners to effectively support the mission, as recommended by NPS’s Interpretation and Education Renaissance Action Plan, 2007. Above: students • Ensure Organizational listen to a Fort Effectiveness ◦◦ Encourage partner sponsored Necessity reenactor. The National Park Service uses current programs. management practices, systems, and technologies to accomplish its mission. Connecting People To Parks ◦◦ Interpretive Division staff part‑ icipates in training to develop, Connecting People to Parks (2005) is the maintain and enhance skills. Northeast Region (NER) interpretation and education strategy. It outlines the ◦◦ Distribute visitor surveys. most important actions to be taken in order to address the challenges parks face ◦◦ Recruit, train and supervise and maintain NER’s commitment to volunteers. Volunteers staff visitor excellence in visitor services.

4 Foundation for Planning

The park’s Comprehensive Interpretive GOAL 6 Plan will support and implement these Open New Doors to Learning: Parks eight goals: provide meaningful and relevant resource- based opportunities for life-long learning GOAL 1 for diverse audiences, particularly for Connect People to America’s Stories: cultural minorities and populations who Each park provides opportunities for all have felt excluded from parks. people to experience authentic, tangible resources that help them understand and Schools, colleges, civic and academic draw inspiration from larger meanings, institutions, organizations, and life-long concepts, themes, and stories about our learners recognize and use parks as natural world and cultural heritage. dynamic classrooms to enhance learning, to engage in civic dialogue, and to GOAL 2 transform their interests into personal Use a Business Approach to Enhance action. Financial Means and Capacity: Parks develop and adopt best business practices GOAL 7 to leverage NPS resources and to ensure Invest in Students and Educators: the implementation of interpretive and Parks offer curriculum-based education educational opportunities for all people. programs for students of all ages, especially school-age students, so that GOAL 3 children have quality educational “park Evaluate and Identify Best Practices: experiences” during their elementary and To achieve the best practices in Interp‑ high school years. retation and Education, each park fosters a culture that uses relevant social science GOAL 8 techniques to continuously develop, Foster America’s Best Interpreters and assess, and improve visitor experiences. Educators: Interpreters at all levels seek their own professional development GOAL 4 opportunities and execute their Collaborate with Others: Each park responsibilities with innovation and connects to the National Park System professionalism. NPS managers create a and seeks opportunities to link themes climate conducive to professional growth and build relationships with parks and and learning. partners locally, nationally, and globally. Accessibility GOAL 5 Connect People to Places through The following Acts and their amendments Technology: Each park integrates are the accessibility laws that apply to the established and emerging technologies federal government: to enhance interpretive and education programs to reach new audiences. The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-480) requires all buildings and facilities built or renovated in whole or in part with Federal funds to be

5 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

accessible to, and usable by, physically statements, serve to focus administrative disabled persons. Since 1968, official actions on the continuing preservation standards for making buildings accessible of this historically important place, the have been developed and the U.S. increasing enjoyment of the resource Architectural and Transportation Barriers by the visiting public and the imparting Compliance Board has been created to of the historical significance of the Fort monitor and enforce compliance with the through National Park Service Interpretive law. Programs.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Public Law 93-112), as amended, Significance Statements is more encompassing than the Architec- 1. The 1754 Battle of Fort Necessity tural Barriers Act. While the Architectural occurring in the Great Meadows Barriers Act requires physical access to shattered a fragile peace existing buildings and facilities, Section 504 between principal Western European requires program accessibility in all empires, catapulting the world into services provided with Federal dollars. a brutal, definitive war that re The act itself is very brief. It states: “No configured the global balance of otherwise qualified individual with a power and set the stage for the disability in the United States shall, solely American Revolution. by reason of disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the 2. The road built by Braddock’s army benefits of, or be subject to discrimination during its campaign in present-day under any program or activity conducted Western Pennsylvania played an by Federal Financial Assistance or by any important role in the British conquest Executive Agency.” Further, National of North America, setting the stage Park Service (NPS) policy mandates that for later western expansion. interpretive programming be developed in accordance with NPS Director’s Orders 3. Fort Necessity National Battlefield 42, and that interpretive media be interprets the clash of cultures, developed within the NPS Accessibility individual interests and conflicting Guidelines for Interpretive Media. visions existing in the Ohio River Valley of the 1700s by presenting Significance multiple viewpoints, including those of the American Indian, French, and Significance statements serve to describe British participants. what is distinctive about the combined resources of the park, including 4. At Fort Necessity and throughout natural, cultural, inspirational, historical, the French and Indian War, a young recreational, and scientific aspects. George Washington learned valuable Significance statements answer these lessons that helped create the leader questions: “Why should people visit the who guided the Continental Army to Fort? What is special about Fort Necessity? victory over British forces during the Why should it be preserved?” The mission American Revolution, and helped to statement, combined with the significance

6 Foundation for Planning

guide the country through its formative ◦◦ Pennsylvania State Parks years. ◦◦ Pennsylvania Department of Forests 5. The National Road, the first federally- and Waters (when Fort Necessity was funded highway in America, spurred a state park) westward expansion and the growth of commerce in the young republic. ◦◦ National Park Service It passes through the park today as US Route 40. 9. The cultural, geographical, natural, and archeological features of Fort 6. The Mount Washington Tavern, Necessity retain a discernable level located on the National Road, was a of historical integrity, providing an stagecoach stop, where travelers and opportunity for further study and local residents not only rested, dined, reflection by both professionals and and sought strong drink, but also visitors alike. engaged in political and social discourse. The tavern is one of the Primary Interpretive Themes few remaining stagecoach stops along the National Road that is restored Primary interpretive themes embody the and open to the public. most important ideas or concepts communicated to the public about a park. 7. The geographical and natural features They convey the significance of the resource, of the site greatly impacted the events and highlight the links between tangible at Great Meadows, Jumonville Glen elements, intangible meanings, and uni‑ and the cultural landscape of the area versal concepts that are inherent in the during the French & Indian War. park’s resources. The themes connect those resources to larger processes, systems, ideas, 8. The history of Fort Necessity and values. They define the core content National Battlefield, including its of the educational messages the park offers, establishment, development and and serve as the building blocks upon which continuing preservation, has involved interpretive services and educational many private individuals and diverse programs are based. public organizations, including, but not limited to: The primary interpretive themes at Fort Necessity are: ◦◦ Farmer/owner Fazenbaker, who originally preserved the site in the 1. The Battle of Fort Necessity at Great 1820’s. Meadows shattered a fragile peace existing between the principal ◦◦ Department of War (now the Western European empires, Department of Defense) catapulting the world into a brutal, definitive war that reconfigured the ◦◦ Local partners global balance of power and set the stage for the American Revolution. ◦◦ Civilian Conservation Corps

7 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

◦◦ Subtheme: Competing imperial diplomacy and leadership that European powers struggled for strengthened his ability to direct the control of North America in order to course of the Continental Army broaden their economies and extend during the American Revolution. influence, escalating tensions and generating the aggression that 4. The National Road was a crucial shattered a fragile world peace. corridor of commerce and ideas, where travelers and residents 2. The various, distinct and diverse converged at stopping points like American Indian Nations that the Mount Washington Tavern. participated directly or indirectly in The National Road united the young the French and Indian War emerged republic, was the first federally at the war’s conclusion to find their funded highway, and is the present previous ways of life dramatically US Route 40. altered. ◦ Subtheme: The National Road ◦◦ Subtheme: American Indian groups’ served as a conduit for spreading continuous contact with Europeans ideas, fostering debate about the impacted their cultural identities in role of government in society, and many ways, presenting both benefits contributing to the development of and tremendous costs. a national identity.

◦◦ Subtheme: American Indians’ ◦◦ Subtheme: Legislation for and funding continuous contact with Europeans of the National Road in 1805 serves as resulted in increased dependence on an example of the struggle of the new European technology and goods, nation to define the bounds of the influencing their political and social constitution and the authority of the alliances. federal government.

3. George Washington’s defeat at the 5. The various features (cultural, geo- battle of Fort Necessity, and his graphical, natural, and archaeological) experience commanding the men at Fort Necessity retain a discernable who fought there, taught the untested, level of historical integrity, providing ambitious young soldier lessons that the opportunity for further study by helped forge is character and skill as a professionals and reflection by visitors. leader. ◦◦ Subtheme: Archeology conducted on ◦◦ Subtheme: George Washington’s the site by J.C. Harrington in the 1950s many influences in his early life is significant in that it was among the helped develop his character, first excavations to combine research including family, education and class. into historical records with findings from the dig. ◦◦ Subtheme: George Washington’s lessons during the French and Indian War included experience in

8 Foundation for Planning

Visitor Experience Goals create visitor understanding and human connections. Visitors who experience parks seek something of personal value and relevance. Wayfinding & orientation goals Provide patron with different options Visitor experience goals describe what for gathering information about the site so physical, intellectual, sensory, and they can make informed choices to explore emotional experiences should be available park stories and other regional attractions. to them. They describe what visitors might do, feel, think, and learn, all of which Issues And Influences include the power to impact not just Affecting Interpretation knowledge, but attitudes, behavior, and values. Visitor experience goals describe This section includes long-range opportunities for the public to experience servicewide initiatives, influences and the resource in various ways. They suggest opportunities inside and outside the park, how interpretation may change the way the resource-based issues, and internal issues public thinks, feels, or acts as a result of the that affect interpretation and education. park experience. Collectively, it reflects the perspectives of NPS upper management, Fort Neces- Visitor experience goals at Fort Necessity sity staff members, and the site’s group of National Battlefield include: stakeholders.

General goals Servicewide Initiatives Provide opportunities for visitors to find national park centennial challenge the relevance in the park story through multiple perspectives and multiple stories. The Centennial Challenge Initiative announced by Secretary Dick • Provide a variety of interesting and Kempthorne, Director Mary Bomar and engaging interpretive options so that President George W. Bush in 2006 is a patrons are able to connect personally major boost to help ready the National with park resources and stories. Park System for its 100th Anniversary in 2016. This is a multifaceted approach, with • Engage youth through educational public and private funding, to: programming and service-learning opportunities designed to foster • engage all Americans in preserving our stewardship and promote careers for heritage, the National Park Service. • connect them with their parks with a Theme/content goals special emphasis on linking children to Provide patron with opportunities to learn nature, history and park resources, and about and participate in preserving and to protecting park resources. • strengthen park operations and keep • Provide historically and scientifically them sustainable in the next 100 years. accurate stories in a variety of ways to

9 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

The Challenge has three components, Capacity building: bringing $3 billion in additional support to the parks over the next 10 years: • Train and educate staff on various aspects of engaging youth, including • A Centennial Commitment of $1 billion in strategies for whom to partner with, $100 million per year appropriations for what potential projects exist, how to new park operational increases to restore identify youth-oriented projects, and needed seasonal staff and make needed tools and skills to enable staff to improvements in parks and programs. undertake such projects.

• A Centennial Challenge of $1 billion in • Encourage staff to participate and attend $100 million per year appropriations for conferences and trainings to network signature projects and programs in parks and learn more about potential partners. to match philanthropic support. Identify and promote conferences and workshops that have youth components • A Centennial Match of $1 billion to be for staff to attend, to network and learn raised through matching philanthropic more about potential partners. contributions by our nonprofit park partners for park projects and programs. Projects:

The Centennial Challenge Initiative is a • Increase the number of projects in the partnership between the Federal Govern- park that will utilize youth as volunteers, ment and all park partners and the people interns, and employees by matching park of America to realize the potential of the needs with multiple youth fund sources National Park System. It will offer great in the service. potential for partnerships and elevate the visibility and position of park philanthropy • Measure: Annually, 20% of projects in the United States. For more information selected will have a youth component. on the Centennial Challenge Initiative, visit http://www.nps.gov/2016. Building and sustaining relationships with youth partners: engaging america’s youth 2009 • Identify and develop relationships with Fort Necessity National Battlefield will national youth partners (Girl Scouts, develop a strategy for engaging youth. Earth Force, Children and Nature The strategy includes the following action Network), regional partners steps: (NPS Youth Programs Coordinator) and local partners (school programs, summer Data gathering and assessment: programs, camps, after-school programs, 4-H, and universities). • Inventory existing park projects that have a youth component; evaluate the Communication: projects; examine methods to further develop projects utilizing youth. • Provide a forum of communication for park staff to exchange and discuss

10 Foundation for Planning

projects and ideas regarding youth in projects. Include youth partners in the discussion.

Supporting activities from NPS’s Washington office (WASO) and engaging youth team:

• Use the existing WASO project database to identify and describe projects that have included youth partners or participants over the past five years.

• Analyze the type of work done with youth projects in the past including the type of project, role of park staff, role of partner, and successes/challenges. Necessity: Management will work to Above: children pose • Identify how future project needs in provide necessary interpretive resources. as historic Mount Washington the park can be accomplished with tavernkeepers at the assistance of youth volunteers and • Expand interpretation and education the interpretive employees after analyzing multiple partner training and credentialing playground outside Fort Necessity’s methods of engaging youth. program. Impact at Fort Necessity: Interpretive and Future partners that provide interns Education Center. NPS Interpretation and Education and other interpretive support services Renaissance Action Plan will also work within a framework that provides standards for and measures of The National Park Service’s Interpretation quality performance. and Education Renaissance Action Plan (Fall 2006) has put forth the following • Adopt a program of evaluation findings and strategic recommendations to achieve greater accountability and that are intended to guide interpretation program improvement in interp‑ at all parks, service-wide. retation and education. Impact at Fort Necessity: Visitor feedback and program Develop core operating standards and evaluation will continue to be important measures for delivering quality factors in developing new interpretive interpretation and education programs. programs. Impact at Fort Necessity: Interpreters should expect to work within a framework • Improve interpretive media to meet that provides standards for and measures twenty-first century standards. of quality performance. Impact at Fort Necessity: The Long Range Interpretive Plan will incorporate • Provide staffing and operating twenty-first-century media standards. resources necessary to achieve program standards. Impact at Fort

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• Encourage and adopt innovation in Influences and issues within the NPS interpretive and educational The NPS faces many challenges including technology. Impact at Fort Necessity: the reduction of the workforce serving the The Long Range Interpretive Plan will visitors. incorporate innovative technologies. • There is a need to diversify the park • Design interpretation and education workforce to reflect America’s diverse programs to serve all. Impact at Fort population. Necessity: The Long Range Interp‑ retive Plan will provide programs for • There are advances in technology that are new, emerging and underserved constantly changing the way Americans audiences, using universal design communicate. Many national parks are standards. not using up-to-date technologies due to funding and staffing shortages. • Enable interpretation and education partners to effectively support the • Budget constraints continue to affect NPS education mission. Impact at visitor services. Three permanent Fort Necessity: Partners will be interpretive ranger positions have been supported. vacated in the last five years and these positions most likely will not be refilled. • Create and support organizational change. Impact at Fort Necessity: • Over half of the annual interpretive Members of the Core Planning Team, programs at FONE are currently being as well as the stakeholders, will be provided by Eastern National contract open-minded about the need for—and employees, volunteers and interns. welcome—organizational change. Without volunteers and interns many interpretive programs would not be Influences and issues beyond the NPS offered and some sites like the Mount NPS studies have shown there has been Washington Tavern would not be open a 15% decrease in visitation to parks in the to the public on a regular basis. Programs last 10 years, and especially by people age at Jumonville Glen and Braddock’s Grave 45 and under. Most visitors to NPS sites are only offered once or twice a year due are over 45 years old and do not reflect to the lack of staff. America’s diverse population. Cultural Resource Issues • The U.S. public is living mostly in Additional archaeological research is suburban and urban areas and needed throughout the Great Meadow, becoming increasingly separated as well as on Braddock’s Road. The NPS from natural landscapes. has performed archeology intermittently, usually in response to a need for building Children often stay indoors to play with or installation of other built features. electronic equipment, i.e. videos, Pollen research has been undertaken to computers, etc. rather than explore the help determine the original treeline; natural world. this research is guiding current efforts to restore the treeline.

12 Foundation for Planning

• The addition of a clapboard extension to the Mount Washington Tavern that would house a commercial kitchen, modern bathrooms, and an elevator to improve accessibility to the tavern’s ground floor would make it possible for the tavern to be leased to a group who would provide food service. Cultural Resource Management believes that the building’s integrity can be maintained, and that it would be important for the tavern to be able to generate a revenue stream that would help increase programming there.

Natural Resource Issues Archaeological research in the Great Meadows would also further the mission of the Natural Resources Division, as it would clear the way for the planting of native hardwood trees that would help restore the treeline that existed in 1754.

• Funding for treeline restoration, as well as for saplings to create a living, wooded screen on the hills above the Great Meadows, would be a welcome step toward restoring the natural and cultural landscapes of the Battlefield.

The Resource

The Regional Setting regular traffic thousands of families In 1933, the United States Congress set migrated to the West by way of this new aside a few acres of land in southwestern road, facilitating America’s own westward Pennsylvania to establish Fort Necessity expansion. First introduced to visitors in National Battlefield. In doing so, an exhibition at the Fort Necessity the government created a national Interpretive and Education Center, the memorial commemorating the opening story of the National Road is further battle of the French and Indian War. developed through guided tours in the Today, this southwestern Pennsylvania restored Mount Washington Tavern, a National Park includes just over nine stagecoach inn built on a rise above the hundred acres that are divided among Fort Necessity Battlefield during the early three main sites: the site of the Fort nineteenth century. Necessity battle, the Braddock Road Trace and General Edward Braddock’s Fort Necessity is working in partnership Burial Site, and Jumonville Glen. Each with French and Indian War 250th of these sites centers around a different Incorporated to promote the historic event, but all participate in a larger story events that took place in southwest rooted in France’s and Britain’s Pennsylvania. French and Indian War eighteenth-century struggle to control 250, Inc., is a non-profit organization spear- the North American continent. heading the national commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the French and In addition to the story of the French Indian War, which began in 2004 and and Indian War, Fort Necessity National continues throughout the decade. As an Battlefield interprets the history of the initiative of the Allegheny Conference on National Road, America’s first federally Community Development, French and Below: Fort funded highway. This road, which ran Indian War 250, Inc., is developing and Necessity’s natural near the Fort Necessity battlefield, was coordinating programs and educational setting.

established by an act of Congress in 1806 resources to raise awareness of this linking the Eastern Seaboard with the significant period in American history. country’s interior. Chiefly a road for east For more information, visit and west commerce, in addition to the www.frenchandindianwar250.org.

15 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

Landscape cover and precipitation. In contrast, Fort Necessity National Battlefield is winter in the Alleghenies brings cold tem- located in southwestern Pennsylvania’s peratures and heavy snow that can fall as Fayette County in the Laurel Highlands, early as the first of November and in some acknowledging the Laurel Ridge of the years continues until the end of April. As Allegheny Mountains, whose wooded a result, many of Fort Necessity’s less- slopes shape the picturesque valleys and accessible units close during the winter provide the stunning vistas that entice months. The Fort Necessity Interpretive numerous tourists to the region. Visitors and Education enjoy impressive natural attractions, but Center, however, welcomes visitors year the small towns, wayside stops, scenic round. farms, and other elements that constitute the Laurel Highland’s cultural landscape The Park/Site further characterize this area. This cultural landscape embodies the region’s distinct Fort Necessity, Jumonville Glen, customs, but it also documents how this and General Braddock’s Grave area’s rich past has greatly contributed to The Battle of Fort Necessity in 1754 key chapters of American history. began the French and Indian War. It brought British, French, and American Accessibility Indians together in a fight to control the While Fort Necessity’s rural setting Ohio River Valley. In a much larger sense, seems far removed from urban however, this battle and the war it began development, the battlefield is located only was a fight for the largely uncharted west- a few minutes from the city of Uniontown, ern wilderness and ultimately for access to Pennsylvania, in addition to a number of and command over the North American small villages and resorts that offer visitors’ continent. While a turning point in nation- needed services. Fort Necessity is also al and even international history, the battle close to major urban centers such as was also a key event in the personal life of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (hour and a half), George Washington. The battle for the fort and Morgantown, West Virginia (forty marked Washington’s first battle and the minutes), and can be easily accessed only time he surrendered to enemy troops. from major roads such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Interstate 79, Interstate 68 and The French and Indian War began in the Interstate 70. highly contested Ohio River Valley, which the English saw as necessary to secure for All four of these highways pass within future westward expansion, and the French twenty to forty-five minutes of Fort saw as a vital link between New France and Necessity’s main units, which themselves Louisiana. As the war progressed battles are clustered within a few miles of each were also fought in upstate New York and other along US Route 40. Canada. Having failed in their efforts to establish a stronghold at the strategically Climate important “forks of the Ohio,” where two The Laurel Highlands and larger rivers join to form the Ohio River (modern- Allegheny region experience warm, day Pittsburgh), English officials sent a humid summers with frequent cloud young George Washington into this region

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in the spring of 1754 with a small regiment British victory over the French during the and a task to build a road that would aid French and Indian War secured North the British efforts to take the Ohio River America for the British. Nevertheless, Valley. the French and Indian War led to many of the tensions that resulted in the American In May of 1754, Washington and his Revolution. troops reached a large clearing known as the Great Meadows where they found Mount Washington Tavern plenty of fresh water and grass for their In the decades following the American horses. Shortly after setting up camp in Revolution, thousands of individuals left the Great Meadows, however, Wash‑ the heavily populated Atlantic Seaboard ington learned of a group of French in search of opportunities in America’s soldiers camped nearby. On May 27, 1754, newly acquired western territories. Washington, and 40 soldiers set out to Recognizing that good roads were needed find them. The next morning at an out- to help facilitate trade and continued cropping of rocks in an area today called emigration, many local and national Jumonville Glen, Washington and his men, leaders pushed to construct a highway that along with their American Indian allies, would connect the East Coast with the attacked the French soldiers in the glen, and a bloody skirmish ensued. Several Right: Mount Washington Tavern weeks later, French troops and Indian war- exterior. riors returned the challenge by attacking Washington’s soldiers, who were encamped in the grassy meadow around a hastily constructed and appropriately christened Fort Necessity. After one day of fighting, Washington abandoned the fort and gave it to the French as part of his surrender. The French proceeded to destroy it.

A year later, Washington returned to the Fort Necessity area with more than 2,400 expanding frontier. After many debates in British troops as part of a military Congress, the U.S. Government provided campaign lead by General Edward funding in 1811 to create the first section of Braddock, the head of the British Army in a national road that began at Cumberland, America. Braddock intended to wrest the Maryland, and eventually reached as far as French out of key sites in the Ohio River Vandalia, Illinois. In the process, this road Valley. Instead his campaign ended with a became the first federally-funded, multi- British defeat and the death of the general state highway in American history. himself. Nevertheless, while the British lost both the Battle of Fort Necessity and While the National Road featured a other conflicts in the area, they eventually Macadam surface over much of its length, won the French and Indian War and travel during this era in even the best subsequently gained control over large circumstances was, more often than not, swaths of North America. For a time, the a slow and uncomfortable experience.

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However, inns and taverns built at regular the nation’s Colonial and Federal-era intervals along the route provided travel- history. Efforts to preserve Fort Necessity ers with welcome comforts during their came to fruition on March 4, 1931, when journey. In the1830s, Nathaniel Ewing Congress designated two acres surround- constructed a two-story brick tavern ing the original fort’s location as Fort alongside the National Road, named the Necessity National Battlefield. In Fort Mount Washington Tavern, as George Necessity’s enabling legislation (46 stat., Washington once owned the land upon 1522), Congress placed the newly created which the tavern was built. James and historic site under the control of Gettys- Rebecca Sampey purchased the tavern and burg National Military Park, which itself became the tavern keepers. The Mount was administered by the War Department. Washington Tavern catered primarily to The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania well-paying stagecoach travelers and as contributed to the site’s preservation by such offered much better amenities then establishing the 313-acre Fort Necessity many other rest stops along the National State Park that surrounded the federal Road. Even so, accommodations at the government’s two-acre military park. tavern left much to be desired. Cramped rooms, shared beds, cold baths, hurried The War Department funded a recon- meals, and general grime and dirt of the struction of Fort Necessity. The site was road characterized a night at the Mount dedicated on July 4, 1932—the Washington and other early nineteenth- bicentennial year of George Washington’s century taverns. birth. The very next year, Fort Necessity was placed under the supervision of the The Sampeys operated the Mount National Park Service (NPS), which Washington Tavern until the midpoint of continues to administer and maintain the the nineteenth century when the popular- site. Civilian Conservation Corps units ization of the railroad resulted in a decline played a role in developing visitor in the National Road’s use. In 1856, the amenities for the park. Mount Washington Tavern became a private home and served as such until 1932. In 1952 and 1953, the NPS conducted In that year, the Commonwealth of archeological digs that helped to uncover Pennsylvania acquired the tavern and key information regarding Fort Necessity’s used the building as a visitor center for original shape and design. As the evidence Fort Necessity State Park. suggested that the original fort differed greatly from the War Department’s earlier Legislation and Preservation History reconstruction, the National Park Service During the nineteenth and early reconstructed Fort Necessity in time for twentieth centuries, the meadow in which the 1954 commemoration of the battle’s the Battle of Fort Necessity was fought two hundredth anniversary. served primarily as a grazing pasture. Nevertheless, the rise in automobile traffic Preservation and interpretation efforts at and growing interest in early American Fort Necessity were further enhanced in history at the beginning of the twentieth 1961 when, with Public Law 87–134, century spurred efforts to preserve Fort Congress approved the addition of 500 Necessity and other sites associated with acres to the battlefield site.

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Left: a British flag flies over Fort Necessity.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania An interpretive playground with four donated much of this land, while other interactive waysides was constructed in parcels were acquired from private land- 2006 and dedicated in 2007, providing holders. This addition included the Great an educational and fun interpretive Meadows, portions of Braddock’s road, experience for visitors of all ages. twenty-five acres around General Brad- dock’s burial site, and the Mount Wash- Fort Necessity National Battlefield is part ington Tavern. In 1974, the battlefield’s of a group of five national parks located landholdings were expanded and in 1978 in western Pennsylvania. This grouping Jumonville Glen was added. All the of parks is called the National Parks of additions brought the park’s size to 902 Western Pennsylvania and includes Fort acres. Necessity NB, Friendship Hill NHS, Flight 93 National Memorial, Johnstown Flood More recent improvements to Fort National Memorial and Alleghany Portage Necessity’s infrastructure, historic land- Railroad NHS. All five parks share a single scape, and visitor interpretation include Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent a new Interpretive and Education Center and Administrative Officer. Staff from any that opened in 2005, which replaced the of the five parks may be called upon to park’s earlier Mission 66 visitor center. assist a sister park. Many times through- Other recent improvements to the Fort out the year interpretive division staff at Necessity National Battlefield include Fort Necessity NB is required to work at the erection of interpretive signs along- Friendship Hill NHS. Occasionally staff is side trails, an ongoing restoration of Fort also needed at the other three parks. Necessity and the surrounding battlefield The Chief of Interpretation and the landscape, and the construction or Education Specialist at Fort Necessity also improvement of walkways, parking lots, supervise and coordinate all interpretive comfort stations, and other facilities and educational programs at Friendship throughout the park. Hill NHS.

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Jumonville Glen The Audience Jumonville Glen was added as a unit of the park in 1978. Since that time, the site Visitor Profile has been improved with a large parking School groups, bus tour groups, and lot, comfort station, interpretive signs, families make up a large percentage of and a trail that leads visitors down to the Fort Necessity’s audience. Entrance fee rocky outcrop where Washington’s solders data suggest that 40 percent of this skirmished with encamped French troops audience come from within Pennsylvania, in May of 1754. The site is closed from 20 percent come from Ohio, Michigan, November to April. and other Great Lakes states, 20 percent come from the Northeastern and Braddock’s Grave Southeastern regions, 10 percent from When Washington and his troops buried the Southwest, and 10 percent from other General Braddock on July 13, 1755, they locales. disguised Braddock’s grave to prevent it being disturbed by enemy forces. In 1804, According to a 2005 Travel Overview of Braddock’s remains were discovered leisure travelers, a snapshot of the visitor and moved to a small rise near the coming to the Pittsburgh Region (which original burial site. This new resting place includes the 3 Laurel Highlands Counties) was acknowledged over a century later indicates: with a granite monument erected by the Sons of the American Revolution in 1913. Snapshot of Visitor to Pittsburgh Region In 1961, this burial site along with several surrounding acres was added to Fort Median Age: 38 Necessity National Battlefield. This site Median Annual HH has been improved with walking trails, a Income: $62,800 parking lot, and interpretive signs. A short Average Length of Stay: 3.7 Days segment of Braddock’s road is evident nearby. Main Type of Traveling Party: Families Mount Washington Tavern In 1932, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania acquired the Mount Wash- According to the information from visitors, ington Tavern and opened it as the visitor it appears that the strongest markets that center for Fort Necessity State Park. As Fort Necessity draws visitors from include noted earlier, the tavern was presented Ohio (Cleveland/Columbus), Pittsburgh, to the National Park Service in 1961, Washington DC, and Baltimore. West after which it was transformed into a Virginia, Michigan, and Toronto are also house museum with rooms furnished as strong markets for the site. they would have been during the heyday of the National Road. Like the other units Most of Fort Necessity’s visitors tour the in Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Interpretive and Education Center, the this site has also been improved with reconstructed Fort Necessity, and Mount reconstructed outbuildings, a parking lot, Washington Tavern. Some visitors will go and interpretive signs. to Braddock’s Grave, Jumonville Glen,

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and the park’s hiking and picnicking areas. available. In response to the subsequent Visitors may also go to (or be coming from) questions “How do I get there?” and other local attractions such as Fallingwater, “What will I see and do once I’m there?,” Laurel Caverns and Ohiopyle State Park. Fort Necessity’s webpage provides infor- Fort Necessity’s interpretive park staff has mation about the park’s location, fees, observed that many park guests have little contact information (phone calls and email knowledge of the French and Indian War inquires are promptly answered), or National Road histories upon their volunteering, and schedule. While Fort arrival and therefore find it difficult to Necessity’s website offers information place the events of Fort Necessity within about the park hours and special events, a larger historical context. it does not provide the times at which the park’s daily interpretive programs occur. According to the Park’s Servicewide Interpretive Report for FY 2007, 37,482 While it is especially helpful to those visitors accessed the Interpretive and planning trips to Fort Necessity, the park’s Education Center. Two thousand eight website does not engage visitors who hundred thirty people participated in may only travel to Fort Necessity via the special events, and 4,179 school children Internet—a potentially larger audience of received curriculum-based programming. “virtual” visitors than the park is likely to Another 1,140 school students partici‑ receive by “actual” persons. The website pated in self-guided tours. The total mainly offers pages of posted text, rather school visitation in 2007 was 5,319. than offering podcasts and other forms of multimedia, downloadable curricula and The Interpretive Experience programs, site histories in languages other than English, interactive programs and Before the Visit: educational games, and other forms the Fort Necessity Website of web-based interpretation. Like all other units within the National Park Service, Fort Necessity’s website Marketing Fort Necessity employs the National Park Service’s Beyond its website, Fort Necessity website template. This template National Battlefield promotes itself emphasizes both site significance and through printed and online state and practical site information in an attempt to regional tourist guides and through the answer the basic visitor questions “Why publications and internet sites of should I come?,” “How do I get there?,” organizations such as the National Road and “What will I see and do once I am Heritage Corridor and local and state there?” In responding to the first historical societies. Road signs and question, “Why should I come?,” Fort brochures placed at area attractions and Necessity’s homepage prominently hotels undoubtedly help to inform many features significance statements that about the park. To date, however, no summarize the site’s importance within survey has been conducted that the larger histories of the French and documents how visitors learn about the Indian War and the National Road. Links site or provides more background near these statements connect to other information about the visitors the site is pages where a more detailed history is currently attracting. Such a survey would

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be helpful in determining effective ways Signage of marketing the park in the future. This Approaches to Fort Necessity National would also be in keeping with the tenets Battlefield are satisfactorily marked by of the National Park Service’s Interpreta- standard brown tourist signs on nearby tion and Education Renaissance program, major roads and highways and more which call for a culture of evaluation to be specialized National Park Service signs created within the National Park Service. near the entrance to each of the battlefield’s units. Such signage would be enhanced on major roads by, among other things, creating and erecting French and Indian markers modeled on those presently used to mark Civil War roads and trails. Regional tourism agencies have proposed a French and Indian War system of markers but this project has not been funded. French and Indian War 250 produces a brochure with a regional map identifying the locations of the related sites. A travel guide is also being developed.

At present, limited information about the three units that compose Fort Necessity National Battlefield is available at Jumon- ville Glen, Braddock’s Grave, and the Mount Washington Tavern.

Wayfinding—Maps and Directions Facilities An area map of the Fort Necessity site access with accompanying directions is provided Each of Fort Necessity’s sites is easily on the Fort Necessity website. While the accessible from the road and offer parking map and instructions are adequate, other for cars, RVs, and buses. Both Fort National Park Service sites, such as Death Necessity’s Interpretive and Education Valley National Park have placed larger, Center and Braddock’s Grave provide downloadable park, regional, and state access for visitors with disabilities, but maps on their websites. In addition, Death Jumonville Glen is not as easily accessed Valley (and other parks) provides maps by those with mobility impairments. linked to direction-finding webpages such Mount Washington Tavern’s first floor is as Mapquest by which visitors may obtain accessible, but the second floor is not. specific traveling instructions to and from the park. (Please see http://www.nps.gov/ Interpretation and Visitor Services deva/planyourvisit/maps.htm). The addi- fort necessity tion of these features to Fort Necessity’s The Fort Necessity Interpretive and website would further facilitate visitor Education Center serves as the center of travel. interpretation. As such, this center is open

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year round and offers the largest number During the summer months, park of guest resources. Fort Necessity’s visitors interpretive rangers present a variety of are thus best served by coming to this interpretive programs in this area. The facility before touring other park units. Great Meadows also features four inter- Once inside the center, visitors encounter pretive signs that highlight the building of a large information desk where they may Fort Necessity, the British defenses at Fort pay park fees, interact with interpretive Necessity, the French attack on the fort, staff, obtain park maps, brochures, and and the surrender negotiations that schedules, and obtain pamphlets occurred between both sides. Leading advertising other regional attractions. from the Great Meadows area is a trail Near this information desk visitors find that takes visitors to the Mount Washing- restrooms, drinking fountains, a book- ton Tavern, as well as a series of longer store, a multipurpose room, an auditorium hiking trails. From the Interpretive and where an introductory film is regularly Education Center are drivable roads that shown, and the entrance to the park’s take visitors to the park’s picnic grounds main exhibition. and other facilities.

Before entering the exhibition, visitors are In the past, several visitors have expressed invited to enter the Interpretive and disappointment that there is no conces- Education Center’s theatre to view The sionaire or even vending machine on site Road of Necessity, a nineteen-minute film to sell picnic lunches and other snacks. that highlights Washington’s involvement at the battle of Fort Necessity and other jumonville glen French and Indian War events and then continues into the history of the National Jumonville Glen is located fifteen minutes Road as America’s first federally-funded by automobile from the Fort Necessity highway. The park’s exhibitions continue site, but is set on Jumonville Road, which many of the film’s themes by interpreting branches off the main U.S. Route 40. the history of Fort Necessity, the National For this reason, Jumonville Glen might be Road, and the creation of the Fort more overlooked by visitors than the other Necessity National Battlefield through Fort Necessity National Battlefield units a combination of objects, models, images, that face directly onto U.S. Route 40. and text panels. As with the film The Road of Necessity, the exhibition treats Fort Set to the side of the parking lot is a visitor Necessity and the National Road as two restroom and a series of interpretive signs separate histories and not as a single, inter- explaining the general history of Jumon- related narrative. Thus, the exhibition in ville Glen. From the parking lot, visitors many respects reads as two as opposed to may take a short hike down a trail through one unified presentation. Jumonville Glen that ends at the rocky outcroppings where Washington’s troops The final displays in the Interpretive and skirmished with encamped French soldiers Education Center exhibition locate visitors in the spring of 1754. This trail features near doors that direct them towards the four interpretive signs that relate the events Great Meadows, where a near-complete that occurred in the glen and emphasize replica of Fort Necessity stands today.

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their impact on American and European a nineteenth-century Conestoga-style history. wagon that once traveled along the National Road. Inside the Mount braddock’s grave Washington Tavern are several period rooms. These furnished rooms include General Edward Braddock’s gravesite a tavern bar, sitting parlor, dining hall, consists of a small, grassy park located kitchen, and several sleeping chambers. alongside U.S. Route 40. The grave is positioned on a rise and is topped by the Interpretive Tours large granite marker erected in honor of Fort Necessity’s interpretive talks occur General Braddock in 1913. principally during the summer months in the park’s Interpretive and Educa- A short, grassy trail behind Braddock’s tion Center, Great Meadows, and Mount grave follows a short segment of the Washington Tavern. These talks are original Braddock Trace and ultimately typically presented two to three times a ends at Braddock’s initial burial site that day at set hours advertised at the park’s is marked by a plaque. Another asphalt Interpretive and Education Center. When trail leads from the site’s visitor parking lot park staff and funding for seasonal help is to the granite monument. An interpretive low, such programs are offered on a more wayside in the parking lot kiosk introduces restricted basis. The array of Fort Neces- the Braddock campaign, a second sign set sity’s interpretive programs illustrates the along this trail explains the importance park’s interest in appealing to a wide range of the first roads in opening America’s of visitors. Interpretive talks the park has western frontier, and a final sign discusses presented or will present in the upcoming Braddock’s defeat and burial. season include:

mount washington tavern • The Soldier Life Program in which costumed park staff presents the story As noted, the Mount Washington Tavern of Fort Necessity from a soldier’s is located close to Fort Necessity and is perspective. When staffing permits, an accessible from the Great Meadows by historic black powder musket way of a steep trail that leads up the rise demonstration follows this program. upon which the tavern stands. Visitors, This demonstration has often proved one however, are encouraged to drive to the of the park’s most popular offerings. tavern and park in the lot located just below the building. From the parking lot, • The Braddock Road Program in which visitors can access the tavern via a flight of a ranger accompanies visitors on a walk steps that lead visitors to the tavern’s front of a section of the Braddock Trace. door or via a handicapped accessible path around the building. • A daily Want-to-Know-More Program that addresses a variety of topics Outside the tavern are a variety of including “Fort Archeology,” “After interpretive aids including two signs that 1754,” and “The American Indians and emphasize the basic history and experi- the Seven Years War.” ence of traveling the National Road, and

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• Guided tours of the Mount Washington stresses the road’s importance in east and Tavern as park staffing allows. west commerce and highlights the experience of traveling the road during the • Just Like Great Grandma Used to early nineteenth century. In emphasizing Make, a program that explores nine- these points, Fort Necessity’s interpreta- teenth-century cooking, kitchen tools, tion plays to the strength of the park’s and foodways in the Mount Washington historical sites and resources and remains Tavern kitchen. true to its original charge to commemorate the early events that particularly helped • The Made-in-Pennsylvania Program to shape George Washington as a military that offers a hands-on look at the leader, and America as a nation. collection of artifacts in the Mount Washington Tavern with a focus on While celebrating national heroes and objects unique to western Pennsylvania. defining national heritage and identity remains important, interpreting park Interpretive Media history thematically will enable Fort In treating French and Indian War Necessity interpretive staff to craft history, Fort Necessity National Battle- programs that retain traditional elements field’s website, exhibition, signage, visitor while emphasizing the role American film, and interpretive talks particularly Indians, women, African Americans, emphasize the role George Washington and other marginalized groups played in played in the Jumonville Skirmish, the America’s Colonial and early Federal-era Battle of Fort Necessity, and later frontier history. Approaching interpreta- Braddock Road campaign. Likewise, the tion thematically will also allow interpre- park’s interpretation of the National Road tive staff to treat the Fort Necessity and

Left: interior of the Fort Necessity Interpretive and Education Center.

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National Road stories as dovetailing interpretation staff, period-related narratives rooted in commonalities. activities, etc. Specific themes based on topics such as transportation, westward expansion, • The Jumonville Memorial Program the construction of empire, and offers visitors an accurate, historical American Indian life could be used in portrayal of dress, customs, manners, discussing both Fort Necessity and the and activities of the French and Indian National Road histories. War period.

• The British and French encampment invites French and Indian War reenactment groups to encamp in the Great Meadows, demonstrate the use of black powder muskets, and answer visitors’ questions.

• The Battle Anniversary Commemoration Program commemorates the date of the surrender of Fort Necessity.

• The American Indian Encampment presents reenactors as the Lenape and Cherokee war parties of 1757. The Above: American Outreach reenactors’ camp at Fort Necessity Indian Encampment local community outreach National Battlefield is where they reenactor. demonstrate native woodland fighting Fort Necessity’s interpretive programs tactics, weapons, trail cooking, draw large numbers of visitors, but and other activities. relatively few of these visitors are local community members. Concerts, battle As with the park’s regularly offered reenactments, and other special programs programs, execution of these special held to commemorate milestone programs ultimately depends upon staff anniversaries and other important dates funding. have proven effective in attracting visits from nearby residents. Such programs are Specialized programs designed for local expensive, however, and thus are held on a community groups such as Boy and Girl limited basis. Nevertheless, Fort Necessity Scout troops or professional and social has been able to host several impressive organizations have proven both popular programs over the course of most years. and feasible to plan and present. A park In the upcoming season, Fort Necessity’s visitor study is needed to better identify special programs include events such as: target audiences and the types of programs these audiences would support. Subse- • The National Road Festival at Mount quent development of such programs will Washington Tavern involves costumed undoubtedly help to raise Fort Necessity’s local and regional profile and apply the

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National Park Service Interpretation collection of ongoing evaluation data Renaissance standards to create to determine whether the teachers and interpretive programs “with communities students are achieving the objectives and partners rather than for them.” and having an engaging educational experience. The two curriculum-based student outreach programs are Three Cultures in Conflict at Fort Necessity for 4th-6th grade students Presently, many of Fort Necessity’s student and Travelers and Workers Along the outreach efforts focus on elementary-age National Road for 3rd grade children. students, although the park also offers programs for preschool, junior high, Fort Necessity offers educators its high school, and college students. Such Teacher’s Education Kit: The French and efforts include interpreted tours of the Indian War 1754-1763 for a fee. While park’s historic resources and interactive this fee is reasonable, developing addi- programs designed to engage students tional free, internet-accessible curriculum through interactive demonstrations and plans would provide educators across the hands-on activities. To accompany these country with better access to Fort programs, Fort Necessity’s interpretive Necessity-related historic interpret‑ staff has created a thoughtful fourth- ation. The Teacher’s Guide Traveling the through-sixth-grade Teacher’s Education National Road is mailed to any teacher Kit: The French and Indian War 1754-1763 that requests it for free. A shorter version and a third grade Teacher’s Guide: Travel‑ of this teacher’s guide is available on the ing the National Road. These materials internet. come with lesson and activity plans, games, maps, reproduction artifacts, and other fort necessity bookstore materials designed to correspond in large part with class fieldtrips to Fort Necessity Like all National Park Service bookstores, or other French and Indian or National Fort Necessity is required to sell only Road sites. Two of the on-site educational items that reinforce some aspect of park programs are curriculum-based using the or National Park Service history and that NPS standard. are accompanied with an interpretive message. Much of the bookstore space is To be defined as a curriculum-based dedicated to videos and books on Fort educational program the programs must: Necessity, the French and Indian War, (1) define and accomplish standards George Washington, the National Road, required in the curriculum of the schools National Parks, and other topics. the Park works with; (2) include teachers Souvenirs and collectibles such as from the target grade and subject in the American Flags, glassware, facsimiles of development and testing of the program; historic documents, and National Park (3) include pre/post field lessons and games are also available for purchase. materials connected to the school curriculum; (4) be developmentally appropriate to the target student audience and engage them actively in learning in the park setting; and (5) include the

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Personnel • Coordinating education programs interpretation division staff • Managing the park book store Interpretive division staff members, interns, and park volunteers operate • Supervising seasonal, intern, contract the Fort Necessity Interpretive and employee and volunteer activities Education Center and provide tours of three historic sites/structures on a daily • Conducting visitor surveys basis. Five interpretive staff members conduct education programs. Most years, • Maintaining park audio-visual Fort Necessity is able to hire part time equipment education program seasonal employees under contract (2-3 per season) to assist • Maintaining and organizing park libraries with school groups. • Composing monthly visitation statistics While visitor interpretation is the obvious primary duty of Fort Necessity’s interpre- • Processing special use permits tation staff, other tasks are divided among staff members. Such tasks include: volunteers

• Fee Collection Program Management Like other National Park Service sites, Fort Necessity depends upon volunteers • Marketing and Outreach to facilitate its operations and programs. In 2007, Fort Necessity benefited from the • Staffing Friendship Hill NHS two days efforts of 247 volunteers who contributed per week April – October 9500 hours of work on tasks involving park interpretation, resource maintenance, • Participating in details to other parks and secretarial duties, among others. and firefighting during the summer Many of Fort Necessity’s present volunteers offered their services to the Right: a ranger gives park directly or have become associated a guided tour of Fort Necessity to visitors. with the park through local organizations and clubs whose services are needed by the park at a particular time (for example, gardening club members would be called upon to assist in the park’s invasive species abatement program). By engaging directly with local community members through programming and other means, Fort Necessity will be able to promote its volunteer opportunities broadly and more easily locate qualified individuals to fill the park’s volunteer positions.

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Interpretive Resources • 2 muskets dating to the 1750s (these may library soon be displayed in the VC exhibit)

Fort Necessity maintains a considerable • National Road materials in-house library that contains select primary documents as well as a large • Commemorative materials for various number of secondary publications celebrations of the battlefield relating to the French & Indian War, National Road, natural resource • Props for the movie The War for Empire protection, cultural history, and federal regulations. The library is primarily used • Archeological materials excavated by by park staff, but outside researchers are J.C. Harrington in the 1950s. also welcome to do on-site research at the Harrington’s original notebooks are at park. Valley Forge NP, and may be available to Fort Necessity. cultural resources • Posts from War Department era Fort Necessity’s museum collection contains a number of items that have • The collection contains little original been donated or purchased by the park, American Indian material. or that have been uncovered in park archeological digs and other like projects. The top priority for Park cultural Significant pieces in this collection have resources is conducting additional been incorporated into Fort Necessity’s archeological research. The NPS has Interpretive and Education Center or performed archeology intermittently, Mount Washington Tavern exhibitions usually in response to a need for and displays, while park staff utilizes other building or installation of other built items from the collection in interpretive features. Pollen research has been programs. undertaken to help determine the original treeline; this research is guiding current The collection consists mainly of efforts to restore the treeline. More the following categories: archaeological research is needed throughout the Great Meadows, as well as on • Original posts used to create the Braddock’s road. stockade/fort The fact that Mount Washington Tavern • Civilian Conservation Corps camp items, is not included in Fort Necessity’s including a uniform enabling legislation has not prevented it from receiving about $250,000 worth of • Musket balls from the Fort Necessity restoration work in recent years. battleground The addition of a clapboarded extension to the tavern to house a commercial kitchen, • Cannon balls from Braddock’s campaign modern bathrooms, and an elevator to improve accessibility to the tavern’s • Various bits of hardware ground floor would make it possible

29 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

for the tavern to be leased to a group who the area, replacing the shallow, would provide food service, generating a meandering, flood-prone wetlands revenue stream while continuing to that George Washington encountered. maintain the building’s integrity. Restoration of the natural hydrology of the Great Meadows would help The Cultural Resources Division mainly restore the historical landscape, and, connects with Interpretation when an incidentally, help control some invasive exhibit is being planned, but the Division plant species. Research in historical also arranges to borrow materials for literature and maps, as well as pollen interpretation programs when analysis of soil samples provide needed (and also makes loans to other guidance on historic conditions of the institutions). land that is now the park.

Volunteers for the Cultural Resources 2. Exotic plants that do not belong are Division perform minor conservation a form of pollution, and their work, help conduct the annual park eradication is a high priority for inventory, and catalog archeological Natural Resources. Volunteers materials. participate in the annual Weed Whack program, which within the Natural Resources Great Meadows focuses on the eradication of an aggressive invasion The Natural Resources Division’s of Morrow’s honeysuckle. responsibilities include inventorying natural resources and monitoring their A study undertaken by a team from status over time. These resources include West Virginia University, a member the air, water, scenery, and animal and of the Great Lakes/Northern Forest plant life of the park. Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, and Fort Necessity NB staff The Natural Resources Division identifies documented existing conditions, the following priorities: developed and tested a honeysuckle control strategy, and developed a 1. Restore the landscape as closely as habitat management plan to protect possible to what it was at the time of the American woodcock. the French and Indian War. This would mean restoring the The honeysuckle, like other exotic meadow’s original tree line, and plant species, inhibits native forest replanting hillsides with saplings that regeneration and decreases native would eventually recreate the wooded plant and animal diversity. Due to the hills reminiscent of those that existed physical structure of the shrub honey- at the time of the French and Indian suckle, nesting predation on shrubland War. Restoration would also address birds is having an impact, especially the natural hydrology of the Great on the area’s breeding population of Meadows: years of use, including American woodcocks. In addition, farming, have altered hydrological native plants provide more complete patterns, including drainage through nutrition to breeding and migrating

30 The Resource

bird species. A native plant of Asia, aids to interpretation Morrow’s honeysuckle has no natural insect predators. Earthworms, a prime Fort Necessity maintains an adequate element of the American woodcock’s collection of period costumes and props diet, are either non-existent or exist in that are used by park staff in interpretive extremely low numbers beneath the presentations, children’s programs, and exotic shrub. Programs like the other activities. annual Weed Whack engage community residents in an interpretation- training opportunities centered program that educates about invasive species, and enlists Many of Fort Necessity’s interpretation participants to help with eradication. programs require interpreters with unique skill sets to execute. Providing 3. Plant habitat that will attract native interpretation staff with regular education wildlife species like those that lived in and training opportunities allows staff the meadow in 1754. members to acquire skills required to plan and present a wide variety of interpretive 4. Conduct the archaeological research programs and allows for greater flexibility that would permit planting of native in serving visitor needs. hardwood trees in Great Meadows in order to restore the treeline to its historic shape and scope. During George Washington’s time, there were larger trees closer to the fort, and the surrounding hillsides were heavily wooded with (mainly) American chestnut, as well as oaks, maples, and other hardwoods. Pollen research has been undertaken to help determine the original treeline; this research is guiding current efforts to restore it.

The Natural Resources Division provides few interpretation programs directly to the public, but cooperates with Interpretation to provide learning resources for nature-based interpretation programs. Park interpretive and natural resources personnel work together to plan the annual Project Weed Whack, and the Division supports the development of interpretive content related to historic landscape preservation, control of invasive species, and conservation of natural resources.

31 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan Action Plan

The Planning Process for Fort Necessity, since both sites share the same interpretive staff and manage- Under the leadership of Chief of Inter- ment. On October 22, the Core Planning pretation and Visitor Services Mary Ellen Group met with six American Indian Snyder, the Long Range Interpretive Plan consultants, as well as NPS’s official was developed during a process that began ethnographer and tribal liaison for the on October 31, 2007. Elements of the Northeast Region, all of whom had been process included workshops facilitated invited to contribute their perspectives to by a planning consultant firm, Interpre- Fort Necessity’s interpretive plan. tive Solutions, Inc.; work sessions of the The purpose of that workshop was to Core Planning Group; and a number of strengthen interpretation of the American followup phone calls that involved Core Indian theme, and to make sure that Planning Group Members and the plan- American Indian programming was ning consultant. seamlessly integrated into overall interpretive services on an ongoing basis. A workshop addressing foundational elements was held November 13-15, 2007. A group of more than 40 stakeholders joined park staff on the first day of the workshop to share their ideas, perspectives, and concerns. The workshop participants addressed site significance and themes, identified audience segments and desired visitor experiences, and discussed issues and influences im- pacting interpretive programming at the site. This workshop was followed by a public input meeting on March 15, 2008, and an implementation workshop March 18-19. This workshop addressed media choices, interpretive strategies, and ways of evaluating programs. Part 1 of the LRIP, the Foundation for Planning, was circulated to stakeholders early in 2008, All of these workshops were facilitated by Above: planning and revised in accordance with their Interpretive Solutions, Inc. In addition, session at Fort Necessity. comments. the Core Planning Group met numerous times to identify gaps in existing interpre- Two special one-day workshops were held tive programs, and to recommend and in October, 2008, to address particular prioritize new programs to address the issues of concern. On October 21, Core gaps. Finally, a series of teleconferences Planning Group members and the plan- between the Core Planning Group and ning consultant met to discuss ways of the planning consultant helped to finalize integrating interpretation at Friendship priorities and set the stage for the drafting Hill National Historic Site into the plans of the LRIP. The Team Draft of the LRIP

33 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

was circulated for stakeholder review, and youth employment and volunteerism the plan was revised and finalized in May, need to be identified and implemented. 2009. Ongoing activities with high school students completing senior projects, Needs And Priorities in Support internships, summer jobs, and college of Interpretation intern programs need to be funded. Through this effort the park staff will strive Through the planning process, the Core to work to develop young leaders and Planning Group was able to identify a build a future NPS workforce. number of needs and priorities that would support and enhance interpretive services In FY09, for example, one seasonal ranger at Fort Necessity in the next five to seven will spend the summer at Friendship Hill, years. These were expressed as program and four at Fort Necessity. A Student needs. Conservation Association cultural diversity intern (a young Native American woman Identity, Orientation and Wayfinding from Montana), and four unpaid interns There is a need for pre-visit orienta- from regional colleges will provide tion materials for teachers that include interpretive services. Four of these a printed map and information about positions were paid for with Centennial the layout of the site. The material must Challenge funding. In addition, six local include an approved evacuation plan to be high school students will intern parttime implemented in the event of incidents or over the summer. All of these personnel inclement weather. are members of the target age group: all together, the two Parks will have a total of There is a need for visitors to understand twelve people under thirty working during that Fort Necessity National Battlefield is a the summer. The Chief of Interpretation national park. will meet with these young people at least once a month during the summer for a School Programs roundtable dicussion to get feedback from There is a need for cross-curriculum them about Park operations and how programming for school groups. All new programs can be made more youth-friendly. educational materials developed for school groups at Fort Necessity should incorpo- Partnerships rate reading, math, and language arts. There is a need to form new partnerships to help meet program goals. A Friends Youth Engagement group for Fort Necessity would benefit There is a need to explore, expand and the park through program support and enhance youth programs. All new volunteerism, advocacy, education, out- programs need to be developed with the reach, and community liaison, addressing youth audience in mind. Programs need needs that would otherwise be difficult to to be engaging, using technology that meet. encourages youth to be involved at all levels including but not limited to website Multiple Viewpoints development, social networking media, There is a need to enhance interpretation podcasts, blogging, etc. Opportunities for of additional multiple viewpoints. These

34 Action Plan

include female camp followers of the that is more reflective of the demographics British Army; African-Americans fighting of the site’s potential “visitor shed.” in the French & Indian War and traveling and driving wagons on and building the Implementation Plan National Road; George Washington’s “servant;” and the Underground Railroad. The planning team conducted a careful review of each of Fort Necessity’s five In particular, however, there is a need to themes to identify any gaps in interpretive strengthen American Indian viewpoints services. A careful projection of across all programs. American Indian interpretive needs for the future resulted groups must be interpreted as individual in the plans for several new initiatives cultures, with their own traditions, intended to strengthen and enhance histories, lifeways, and stories, rather than ongoing programs. Based on that review, being “lumped together” as if they shared program plans for the next seven years the same background. (through FY15) were created. These are listed below. Please see the Timeline for Auxiliary Sites Implementation that follows the list for There is a need to keep Mt. Washington information on sequencing and priorities. Tavern open on a regular basis, in order to broaden Fort Necessity’s audience appeal. Theme Topic: French and Indian War There is a need for a virtual tour of the The French and Indian War theme is well Tavern, both for visitors physically unable represented at the main Battlefield site, to ascend the stairs, and to be shown in the but interpretive services at Jumonville Visitor Center when the Tavern is closed Glen and Braddock’s Grave need to be to the public. strengthened. In addition, newer kinds of media will enhance interpretation of this There is a need for more effective theme. interpretation at Fort Necessity’s “auxiliary” sites—Jumonville Glen and • Continue to offer the “Soldier in the Braddock’s grave. Meadow” program.

Staffing and Training • Add interpretive programming at There is a need for more staff research Braddock’s Grave/Road. time to enhance interpretive programming and develop new programs and services. • Partner with the Natural Resources Division to create cross-disciplinary Technology environmental education programs There is a need to integrate more focused on the F&I War period. technology into interpretive programs. The website should be dynamic and • Continue research that will enhance interactive. interpretation of the Fort Necessity story from multiple perspectives, including Audience Frenchmen who fought with George There is a need to market Fort Necessity’s Washington; the role of women, programs to a broader range of audiences including female camp followers;

35 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

• Develop French and Indian War-themed slide shows that can be projected between showings of the orientation film.

• Translate the film narrative into other languages.

• Develop an audio tour to supplement the exhibits in the Visitor Center.

• Create audio interpretation for Jumonville Glen and Braddock’s Grave/Road, the latter in partnership with the Braddock’s Road Association.

• Work with a group of students to create Above: kitchen and minorities, including George Washing- a history-based drama as a class project. fireplace inside ton’s “servant” and African-Americans The dramatization will be made the historic Mount Washington tavern. fighting in the French & Indian War and available via cell phone at the Fort, traveling and driving wagons on and Tavern, National Road, Jumonville Glen building the National Road; and the and/or Braddock’s Road/Grave. Underground Railroad. • Offer distance learning on French and • Hire an intern to develop an exhibit- Indian War themes. based scavenger hunt targeted specifically to middle school groups. Theme Topic: George Washington A review of the interpretation of George • Furnish the fort cabin interior with Washington at the site revealed that, reproduction items intended to recreate in an effort to make sure all perspectives a sense of the period. are represented, the story of Washington had sometimes been minimized. • For access via the Fort Necessity website, Significant Washington stories that are create virtual tours of Jumonville Glen site-based include how he came to the and Braddock’s Grave/Road, as well as frontier as a young, untested military a virtual ranger tour of the Visitor Center leader, and the ways in which lessons exhibits. learned on Fort Necessity’s unforgiving battleground helped create the effective • Seek funding for and develop a commander and president that he later professionally produced virtual tour of became. Fort Necessity National Battlefield, to be presented on the Fort’s website. Washington-themed programs planned include: • On the site’s website, feature an online catalog of library holdings for scholars • Develop an adult group tour based on and other researchers. George Washington

36 Action Plan

• Produce a site bulletin featuring in future projects. Fort Necessity and tribal Washington. representatives will work toward entering into agreements that will cover all aspects • Create a new exhibit centered on a of tribal participation in the Section 106 new acquisition: the Bill of Sale for process. There are solid legal and Washington’s purchase of the Great operational reasons to engage in one-on- Meadows. (Completed in 2008) one government-to-government consult‑ ations with individual American Indian • Host an annual art show featuring nations as well as to hold joint meetings George Washington-related subject with designated representatives of all matter American Indian nations that have ancestral affiliations with the lands and Theme Topic: American Indians history of Fort Necessity NB. It is a goal American Indian Consultation of the joint multi-Indian nations/NPS The Long Range Interpretive Planning meeting to initiate the draft of a compre- process served to highlight an important hensive consultation agreement between interpretive need at Fort Necessity. the affiliated nations and Fort Necessity In order to strengthen a commitment to National Battlefield. This comprehensive interpret the story of the French and consultation agreement would greatly Indian War from multiple perspectives, facilitate future Fort Necessity-American the site committed to a long-term ongoing Indian nation consultations. American Indian Consultation program, to adjustments to existing interpretive IN FY2008, Fort Necessity staff partnered media that more fully represent native with American Indian consultants viewpoints, and to an annual program from the Seneca, Shawnee, Cherokee, of exhibits and presentations, developed Onondaga, Huron and Abenaki to in partnership with selected affiliated facilitate a Volunteer Training Workshop tribes of the Federal government, that about Eastern Woodland Indians. This would feature the heritage, culture and hands-on workshop was made available contemporary life of a single native group through a special Volunteer Grant to each year for at least five consecutive years. train volunteers and park staff on how to present interpretive programs on Native Fort Necessity NB will conduct face- American Life Ways. The Native American to-face government-to-government consultants presented programs on home consultations with designated construction, traditional clothing, food representatives of American Indian preparation, fire starting, 18th-century nations ancestrally affiliated with Fort fur trade, games, stereotypes and Necessity lands and history. For a misconceptions. This training taught complete listing of these nations, please park staff and volunteers how to present see Appendix A, Fort Necessity Affiliated programs in a culturally sensitive manner. Indian Nations. In these consultations This training was also offered to teachers tribal representatives will identify the in Pennsylvania for credit. In return, the religious and cultural significance of any workshop participants donated another historic properties involved in specific Fort day of volunteering back to the park and Necessity projects or potentially involved demonstrated what they learned in the

37 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

workshop to visitors. Ninety-two if they were a single “nation,” with similar volunteers took part in the workshop. motives, cultures, and lifeways. This workshop was a huge success and all of the volunteers were a wonderful asset in Ongoing interpretation at Fort Necessity conducting these programs throughout the will address American Indian cultures and summer. The site received 100% Visitor their approach to war with Europeans in Satisfaction on its surveys, due, in part, to ways that will help to distinguish them the success of this program. from each other. Many different native groups fought with the British, and many Please see Appendix B, Federal others with the French. Each will be Regulations Regarding American Indian interpreted, not grouped together as Consultation, for more information on the “French-affliated” or “English-affililated” context for Native consultation. tribes, but as separate nations, with separate, distinct cultures. As American Fort Necessity will continue to consult Indian programming continues at Fort with the American Indian nations Necessity, interpretive services will be ancestrally affiliated with Fort Necessity provided by native interpreters whenever lands and history to assist in long-range possible. American Indian interpreters interpretive planning. The LRIP recom- need not be official members of affliated mends that Fort Necessity offer more pro- tribes of the Federal government to grams and exhibits on the American Indian offer programming. In addition, members nations that took part in the battle of Fort of one tribe are welcome to interpret the Necessity and/or lived in the area during stories of other tribes, as long as they make the mid-18th century. Due to tribal travel clear to the audience their actual tribal budgets being essentially non-existent, affiliation. The following steps will the National Park Service should provide enhance American Indian-themed travel and per diem financial support for at interpretive services in coming years: least one representative from each of the nations attending. • Develop an annual “Year of the American Indian Nation.” Each year, american indian-based the site will partner with the cultural interpretation at fort necessity heritage representatives of one of the Federally-affliated tribes that has an The French and Indian War can be told historical connection to Fort Necessity. from a variety of different viewpoints. Programs and a temporary exhibit, The traditional view—once prevalent developed with the help of tribal at Fort Necessity—is that of the British representatives, will highlight that tribe’s troops led by George Washington. French culture for the period of one year. forces also have a valid claim to the story— Planning for the launch of this program they were after all the winners of this first will take two years; planning for engagement. But more important, native subsequent partnerships with other groups not only played highly significant tribes will continue going forward. roles in the conflict, but experienced huge When the program is in full operation, cultural shifts as a result. Often in the past, in a given year one tribe’s exhibit and Amerian Indian have been interpreted as programming will be in place, another’s

38 Action Plan

will be in the planning stages, and Indian War, including their material preliminary discussions with a third tribe culture, lifeways, and differences. will be progressing. • Develop a program that compares and • Recruit and hire American Indian contrasts what Indians and Europeans summer interns. learned from each other.

• The popular fur trade program will be • Enlist the help of affiliated tribes in continued, using both native incorporating oral traditions of interpreters, and non-native volunteers American Indians into interpretive who have been specifically trained to programming to provide both historical present the program. and contemporary perspectives.

• Replace the existing Visitor Center map • Host art shows for regional artists that entitled “French-affliated tribes” with emphasize American Indian artists and one that reflects the diversity and themes. geographical range of the groups that fought with the French. • Develop continuing education programs for teachers that will help them present • Work with local native consultants to American Indian curriculum-related upgrade the American Indian figure subjects in the classroom. who introduces the Visitor Center exhibit. Theme Topic: The National Road The National Road Heritage Corridor is • Provide website links to the official a valued partner for Fort Necessity. The cultural heritage sections of the web-sites only National Road feature within the park of affiliated tribes. is the Mt. Washington Tavern. Interpretive services planned for the Tavern include: • Add website links to American Indian topics for general audiences, as well as for • Produce a virtual tour of Mt. teachers. Washington Tavern for the Fort Necessity website • Create media that will interpret the complex relationships among the tribes, Left: historic items from the Mt. Wash- and between the tribes and Europeans. ington Tavern. The causes and consequences of the war, and the strategic decisions made by tribal leaders as they “chose sides” during the conflict, require in-depth exploration.

• Create a program for 7th- and 8th- graders that will provide in-depth perspective on the American Indian nations involved in the French and

39 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

• Develop the capability to show the programming with Fort Necessity, with virtual tour on site for visitors physically its strong American Indian themes. unable to access the second floor. The planning group grappled with ways to • Create new audio interpretation for make school class visits to Friendship Hill the Tavern. more compelling and relevant. Following models created by other historic houses • Explore participation in developing around the country, planners decided to cell phone tour for National Road adopt character-driven interpretation at (PA segment) Gallatin’s former home. Along with this, one parlor will be created as a hands-on • Retrofit existing “Pretend Voices” as immersive environment, where visitors can cell phone interpretation for the Tavern. experience life as it was in Gallatin’s day.

Theme Topic: Programs planned for Friendship Hill Historical Integrity/Stewardship include: This topic is intended to create an awareness of the importance of caring • Present a program involving two days for heritage resources, and for of hands-on activities centered on maintaining their historical integrity. American Indian cultures, especially targeted to 12-to 14-year-olds and their Programs associated with this theme families. include: • Produce virtual tour of the house and • Research and develop effective steward- grounds for access via Friendship Hill’s ship programs; incorporate the theme website into existing programming • Create a series of modest changing • Develop new media program on site exhibits archaeology • Recreate one parlor room to look as Theme Topic: Friendship Hill it may have in 1824 when General Friendship Hill National Historic Site Lafayette came to visit. was not a formal subject of the Long Range Planning initiative for Fort • In another parlor room, create a Necessity, but because the two sites participatory, hands-on parlor of share interpretive staff and many related reproduction objects, where visitors programs, it was necessary to factor in can enter into Gallatin family life in 1825 programming at Friendship Hill as part by sitting in a comfortable chair, reading of the plan. For example, many people a newspaper of the time, playing pique, are not aware that Albert Gallatin spent working on creating a rug, or trying on much of his retirement as an ethnographer fashions of the day. studying American Indian tribes. This creates an opportunity for cross-

40 Action Plan

• Develop environmental education but simply as an opportunity for programs using Friendship Hill’s grounds improvement. Principles of an effective as the teaching tool. evaluation program include:

Accessibility • Feedback must be gathered in a Programs to increase accessibility include: systematic way (for example, not just anecdotal). • Translate brochures and bulletins into other languages • Evaluation must examine empirical evidence. • Translate audio programs into other languages • Evaluation should be planned.

• Produce virtual tour of Mt. Washington • Evaluation is an ongoing process. Tavern for those physically unable to access second floor. • Use triangulation for effective evaluation: evaluate interpretive Other programs. Some programs cut services using at least three different across all themes, or engage particular modalities to enhance reliability and audiences. These include: validity.

• Distance learning programs ◦◦ At least 35% of interpretive services offered should be evaluated annually • Speaker series to ensure validity.

• Create a “Young Leaders Advisory ◦◦ In addition, 35% of the number of Council” to solicit programming ideas each individual program under study and recommendations from high school should be evaluated. and college-age students. Engage this age group using their familiar • Evaluation takes time and people. communication technologies, including text messaging and Twitter, Evaluation at Fort Necessity among others. National Battlefield Fort Necessity will continue to evaluate • Collaborate with local youth theatre the interpretive programs using a variety groups to develop a first-person of strategies. “Moments in Time” dramatic play written and performed by young actors. Throughout the year, the Chief of Interpretation, the Education Specialist, Evaluation Strategy the Black Powder Program Supervisor, the Eastern National Coordinator, and Program evaluation is increasingly the Fee Program Coordinator and Park important as a tool to increase the Volunteer/Internship Coordinators effectiveness of interpretive services. perform evaluations of their operations. It should never be viewed as a critique, These evaluations include: auditing and

41 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

completing performance evaluations of staff that provide services, reviewing reports and record-keeping, and making recommendations to the Chief of Interpretation based on their findings during the evaluation process.

Permanent staff are evaluated three times per year using OPM-approved employee performance evaluation plans and seasonal and Eastern National staff, interns and volunteers are evaluated once per year.

In 2006, Fort Necessity participated in the Northeast Region Assessment Tool Project, which involves a region-wide assessment to evaluate one of the park’s educational programs. The assessment tool was approved by OMB and allowed the Park to collect data from nearly 100 students and four teachers. The data was coded and analyzed, which allowed the park to make necessary adjustments to the educational program. The park staff plans to use this same method to evaluate programs in 2010, 2012, and 2016.

Each year, Fort Necessity participates in the nationwide NPS visitor survey program. Four hundred visitors complete a survey of the Park’s interpretive services. Fort Necessity and Friendship Hill have received ratings ranging from 95% to 100% visitor satisfaction with all services for the last ten years exceeding the national average.

The Park also plans to work in conjunction with a regional college to conduct focus group-type evaluations of the summer interpretive programs.

42 Action Plan

Timeline for Implementation

The following timeline recommends a seven-year plan for implementing elements of the LRIP. It focuses in the early part of the plan on high impact/low cost interpretive services, but each year also includes steps toward implementing programs that will require advance planning and new sources of support. The list does not include programs, either personal services or media-based, that are already in place as of this writing; for these, please see the list entitled “Ongoing Programs” that follows the timeline.

Table 1. Timeline for Implementation, Year 1

French & American George Year National Road Stewardship/ Friendship Hill Other Indian War Indians Washington Historical Integrity

ONE Soldier in the Fur Trade Develop GW- Website: virtual Pilot program: Pilot project, Meadow program theme adult tour, Mt. hands-on Laurel Highland FY09 group tour Washington activities re: HS: service (10/08-9/09) Begin to recre- NPS Diversity Tavern Indian cultures opportunities ate fort cabin grant to recruit GW site bulletin for young teens American Indian New audio Short-term Audio tour for summer interns New exhibit interp, Mt. Website: virtual opportunities F&I War exhibits (received) featuring GW Washington tour of Friend- for class Bill of Sale Tavern ship Hill (house) projects, college Begin planning (complete) and HS students annual “Year of Develop the American accessible tour Indian Nation” via video (on site)

43 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

Table 1. Timeline for Implementation, Year 2

French & American George Stewardship/ Year National Road Friendship Hill Other Indian War Indians Washington Historical Integrity

TWO Intern to develop Replace map of Promote and Website: virtual Research effec- Create capacity Develop online exhibit-based French-affiliated present GW- tour, Mt. Wash- tive programs to install Junior Ranger FY10 scavenger hunt; Indian tribes in themed adult ington Tavern that promote modest chang- program (10/09- 9/10) middle school VC exhibit group tours stewardship; ing exhibits groups New audio evaluate & plan Seek funding Planning for interp, Mt. for development Create “partici- for waysides for Seek PMIS fund- next year’s “Year Washington patory, hands- CCC structures ing to complete of the American Tavern on” parlor of & camp recreation of fort Indian Nation” reproduction cabin. Develop objects Begin contact accessible tour Website: Virtual with featured via video (on 7th/8th grade tour of Jumon- American Indian site) prog: in-depth ville Glen Nation for FY 12 perspective on AI nations Website links to involved in the official cultural F&I War heritage sections of the websites of 2-3 affiliated tribes

Seek foundation support: media for in-depth interp of complex issues/tribes [link to CRPP project]

7th/8th grade prog: in-depth perspective on AI nations involved in the F&I War

Submit proposal to fund required consultation with affiliated American Indian nations

44 Action Plan

Table 1. Timeline for Implementation, Year 3

French & American George Stewardship/ French & American George Year National Road Friendship Hill Other Year National Road Stewardship/ Friendship Hill Other Indian War Indians Washington Historical Integrity Indian War Indians Washington Historical Integrity

TWO Complete “Makeover” for Incorporate Website: virtual Seek funding Intern to develop Replace map of Promote and Website: virtual Research effec- Create capacity Develop online THREE exhibit-based French-affiliated present GW- tour, Mt. Wash- tive programs to install Junior Ranger recreation of fort Indian statue stewardship tour, Friendship to translate FY10 scavenger hunt; Indian tribes in themed adult ington Tavern that promote modest chang- program cabin themes into on- Hill (house & brochures & site (10/09- 9/10) middle school VC exhibit group tours stewardship; ing exhibits FY11 Kickoff “Year of going programs grounds) bulletins into the American groups New audio evaluate & plan Seek funding Website: [interdivisional other languages (10/10-9/11) Indian Nation” Planning for interp, Mt. for development Create “partici- for waysides for virtual tour of impact] Research and Seek PMIS fund- next year’s “Year Washington patory, hands- CCC structures Fort Neces- Plan exhibits develop EE Waysides for ing to complete of the American Tavern on” parlor of & camp sity NB (in-house & programs New programs/ programs CCC structures recreation of fort Indian Nation” reproduction version); seek for next year’s media, site [interdivisional and camp cabin. Develop objects funding for American Indian archaeology impact] Begin contact accessible tour professional-level Nation Website: Virtual with featured via video (on 7th/8th grade virtual tour tour of Jumon- American Indian site) prog: in-depth Begin contact ville Glen Nation for FY 12 perspective with American Indian Nation for on AI nations FY 13 Website links to involved in the official cultural F&I War Website links to heritage sections official cultural of the websites heritage sections of 2-3 affiliated of the websites tribes of 2-3 addl. affiliated tribes Seek foundation support: media Add website links to American for in-depth in- Indian topics terp of complex (general issues/tribes [link audience) to CRPP project] Add website 7th/8th grade links to curricu- prog: in-depth lum-appropriate perspective American Indian on AI nations links (teachers) involved in the Media, in-depth F&I War interp of complex issues/tribes Submit proposal [link to CRPP to fund required project] consultation with affiliated Program: com- American Indian pares & contrasts nations what Indians & Europeans learned from each other

Seek funding: incorporate AI oral traditions to provide hist & contemporary perspectives.

45 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

Table 1. Timeline for Implementation, Year 4

French & American George Year National Road Stewardship/ Friendship Hill Other Indian War Indians Washington Historical Integrity

Professional-level 2nd “Year of the Incorporate Seek funding for FOUR virtual tour of American Indian stewardship distance learning FNNB Nation” themes into on- programs FY12 going programs Add themed Plan for next [interdivisional Translate (10/11-9/12) slide shows year’s “Year of impact] brochures and between show- the American site bulletins into ings of Indian Nation” New programs/ other languages orientation film media, site Begin contact archaeology Reinstitute Audio interpreta- with American speaker series tion at Jumon- Indian Nation to enhance ville Glen for FY14 interpretation of site themes Additional Website links to staffed program- official cultural ming, Jumonville heritage sections Glen of websites of 2-3 addl. Audio interpreta- affiliated tribes tion, Braddock’s grave/road (with Incorporate AI Braddock’s Road oral traditions Assn.) to provide hist & contemporary Additional perspectives. staffed programming for Brad- dock’s grave/road

Enhance access to online library catalog for F&I War scholars

Fort Neces- sity: Research and develop EE programs [interdepart mental impact]

46 Action Plan

Table 1. Timeline for Implementation, Year 5

French & American George Year National Road Stewardship/ Friendship Hill Other Indian War Indians Washington Historical Integrity

Website: virtual 3rd “Year of the Host art shows Explore potential Youth Program: FIVE ranger tour, VC American Indian for regional art- partners for text messaging & exhibit Nation” ists, possibly National Road Twitter FY13 emphasizing GW cell phone tour Website: virtual Plan for next (PA segment) Develop distance (10/12-9/13) tour, Braddock’s year’s “Year of learning Road/Grave the American programs Indian Nation” Translate audio Begin contact programs into with American other languages Indian for FY 15

Website links to official cultural heritage sections of websites of 2-3 addl. affiliated tribes

Host art shows for regional artists, poss. emphasizing AI themes

47 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

Table 1. Timeline for Implementation, Year 6

French & American George Year National Road Stewardship/ Friendship Hill Other Indian War Indians Washington Historical Integrity

Incorporate new 4th “Year of the Begin to develop Incorporate SIX research multiple American Indian partnership stewardship perspectives Nation” relationship for themes into on- FY14 National Road going programs Seek funding: If evaluation cell phone tour [interdivisional (10/13-9/14) translate movie indicates (PA segment) impact] narrative into program should other languages continue: plan Retrofit “Pretend New programs/ for next “Year Voices:” cell media, site of the American phone interp, archaeology Indian Nation & Mt. Washington begin contact Tavern with American Indian Nation for FY 16

Website links to official cultural heritage sections of websites of 2-3 addl. affiliated tribes

48 Action Plan

Table 1. Timeline for Implementation, Year 7

French & American George Year National Road Stewardship/ Friendship Hill Other Indian War Indians Washington Historical Integrity

Student-created 5th “Year of the Cell phone interp Incorporate First-person SEVEN history-based cell American Indian on PA segment stewardship “Moments in phone drama Nation” of National Road themes into on- Time” dramatic FY15 going programs play using actors Translate movie Plan exhibits & [interdivisional from local youth (10/14-9/15) narrative into programs for impact] theatre groups other languages next “Year of the American Indian New programs/ Offer distance Nation” media, site learning on F&I archaeology War themes Begin contact with the American Indian Nation for FY17

Website links to official cultural heritage sections of websites of 2-3 addl. affiliated tribes

Seek funding for Act 48 (continuing ed for teachers) to train teachers to present AI subjects (as part of CRPP project)

49 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

Table 2. Ongoing Programs

French & American George National Stewardship/ Friendship Historical All Themes Evaluation Other Indian War Indians Washington Road Integrity Hill

Research: role Complexity of Research: Research: role Volunteer Orientation Hands-on and Visitor Survey Research: of minori- & differences GW’s black of minorities in opportunities program: participatory/ cards Underground ties, French & among AI “servant National Road for youth Reflections of immersion- completed Railroad women in the cultures & Mt. Wash- audiences Gallatin style program- every July at Fort Necessity emphasized. ington Tavern ming, multiple both parks story stories Resource Guided & self- levels, esp. for AI-related preservation guided house families Supervisory Collaborative special events National Road messages tours program audit relationships continue at partnership incorporated All educational of volunteers, created for F&I FY09 level. continues into program- Junior Ranger materials and permanent & 250 continue ming for K-2. Gallatin site bulletins seasonal staff on informal All pro- exploration gradually be- basis. gramming program ing posted to incorporates website. Interpret perspectives Hands-on specific French of native activity: Keep- Opportuni- individuals people allied ing House in ties for class who fought with the Gallatin’s Time projects for with GW French, as well college and HS as the British. students

Cross-division- Teacher in- al program- service training ming on native use of plants & other natural resource materials

50 Action Plan

Interpretive Services by Media

The following timeline indicates program development sorted by media. It focuses in the early part of the plan on high impact/low cost media, but each year also includes steps toward implementing programs that will require advance planning and new sources of support. The list does not include media that are already in place as of this writing.

Table 3. Timeline of Interpretive Servcies by Media, Years 1-2

Year Exhibits Website Print media Other media Accessibility Waysides ONE Begin to recreate Website: virtual GW site bulletin Develop accessible fort cabin tour, Mt. Washing- tour via video (on FY09 ton Tavern site) (10/08-9/09) Audio tour for F&I War exhibits Website: virtual tour, Friendship Hill Annual “Year of the (house) American Indian Nation”

Exhibit featuring GW Bill of Sale for Great Meadows (complete)

TWO Develop exhibit- Website: Seek foundation Seek funding for based scavenger Virtual tour, Jumon- support, media for waysides for CCC FY10 hunt, middle school ville Glen in-depth interp structures & camp (10/09- 9/10) groups retation of complex Website links to issues/tribes [link to Replace map of official cultural CRPP project French-affiliated heritage sections Indian tribes in VC of websites of 2-3 exhibit affiliated tribes

Plan next year’s Develop on-line “Year of the Junior Ranger American Indian program Nation”

Create capacity to install modest changing exhibits at FRHI

Create “particip atory, hands-on” parlor of reproduction objects at FRHI

51 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

Table 3. Timeline of Intepretive Programs by Media, Years 3-4

Year Exhibits Website Print media Other media Accessibility Waysides THREE Complete recre- Website: New programs/ Seek funding to Waysides for CCC ation of fort cabin virtual tour, FNNB media on site translate brochures structures and camp FY11 (in-house version); archaeology & site bulletins into (10/10-9/11) “Makeover” for seek funding for other languages Indian statue professional-level Media, in-depth virtual tour interp of complex Kick off “Year of issues/tribes [link to the American Indian Website links to CRPP project] Nation” official cultural heritage sections Plan for next year’s of websites of 2-3 American Indian addl. affiliated tribes Nation Add website links to American Indian topics (general audience)

Add website links to curriculum-appropriate American Indian links (teachers)

Website: virtual tour, Friendship Hill (house & grounds)

FOUR 2nd “Year of the Develop profession- Themed slide Translate brochures American Indian al-level virtual tour, shows, project & site bulletins into FY12 Nation” FNNB betw showings of other languages (10/11-9/12) orientation film Plan for next year’s Enhance access “Year of the Ameri- to online library Audio interp, can Indian Nation” catalog for F&I War Jumonville Glen scholars Audio interp, Brad- Website links to dock’s grave/road official cultural (with Braddock’s heritage sections Road Assn.) of websites of 2-3 addl. affiliated tribes Seek funding for distance learning programs

52 Action Plan

Table 3. Timeline of Intepretive Programs by Media, Years 5-7

Year Exhibits Website Print media Other media Accessibility Waysides FIVE 3rd “Year of the Website: virtual Explore Translate audio American Indian ranger tour, VC potential partners programs into other FY13 Nation” exhibit for National Road languages (10/12-9/13) cell phone tour (PA Plan for next year’s Website: virtual segment) “Year of the Ameri- tour, Braddock’s can Indian Nation” Road/Grave Youth Program: text messaging & Twitter Host art shows for Website links to regional artists, poss official cultural Develop distance emphasizing AI heritage sections learning programs themes of websites of 2-3 addl. affiliated tribes Host art shows for regional artists, poss emphasizing GW

SIX 4th “Year of the Website links to Begin to develop Seek funding to American Indian official cultural partnership relation- translate movie FY14 Nation” heritage sections ship for National narrative into other (10/13-9/14) of websites of 2-3 Road cell phone languages If evaluation addl. affiliated tribes tour (PA segment) indicates program should continue: Retrofit “Pretend plan for next “Year Voices:” cell phone of the American interp, Mt. Wash- Indian Nation; ington Tavern begin contact with American Indian Nation for FY 16

SEVEN 5th “Year of the Website links to Student-created Translate movie American Indian official cultural history-based cell narrative into other FY15 Nation” heritage sections phone drama languages (10/14-9/15) of websites of 2-3 Plan for next“Year addl. affiliated tribes Offer distance of the American learning on F&I War Indian Nation themes

Develop cell phone interpretation on PA segment of National Road

Planning Team

Fort Necessity National Battlefield Joe Bilpuh Chief of Maintenance Jane Clark* Education Specialist Lawren Dunn Cultural Resources Manager Christian Fearer Volunteer Joanne Hanley Superintendent, Southeast Pennsylvania National Parks William Havyer Exhibit Specialist Barbara Keefer Volunteer and contract interpreter Tom Markwardt* Park Ranger MJ McFadden* Park Ranger Keith Newlin Deputy Superintendent, Southeast Pennsylvania National Parks Connie Ranson Natural Resources Manager Brian Reedy* Park Ranger Carney Rigg Volunteer Mary Ellen Snyder* Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services James Tomasek* Park Ranger, Eastern National Dan Watson Site Manager (Asterisk indicates member of Core Planning Group)

Friendship Hill National Historic Site Joe Cocallis Member, Friendship Hill Association Toni L’Hommidieu* President, Friendship Hill Association Kitty Seifert* Park Ranger (Asterisk indicates member of Core Planning Group)

Flight 93 Memorial Barbara Black Flight 93 National Memorial

Northeast Regional Office Elizabeth Hoermann Program Manager for Program Development & Evaluation, NERO I&E Robin L. Wright Volunteer & Program Coordinator, NERO

55 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

Harpers Ferry Center Sam Vaughn Chief of Interpretive Planning, NPS

American Indian Consultants Herb Clevenger Shawnee Carol Fortunato Park Volunteer and Cherokee educator Eric Hemenway Representative, Odawa Tribe, Michigan Todd Johnson Huron Chuck Smythe Ethnographer/AmInd Liaison, NPS Northeast Region Kinorea Tigri Cherokee, Cultural Practitioner/Educator

Stakeholders Dave Bybee Marines de Contrecouer reenactor David Dixon Slippery Rock University Julie Donovan Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau Charles A. Fagan III Fort Ligonier Valerie Festa Wharton Elementary School (VASD) Mick Gallis Fayette County Historical Society Donna Holdorf National Road Heritage Corridor Erin Jenkins Central Greene School District Treadwell Magiske Michelle Girl Scouts Trillium Council Bob Messner Braddock Field Historical Society Chris Plummer Nemacolin Woodlands Chad Proudfoot West Virginia University Laura Tuennerman California University of Pennsylvania Martin West Fort Ligonier Joan Whetsell The Old Petersburg Addison HS Celeste Yaras Touchstone Center for Crafts

Planning Consultants Ann Clausen Interpretive Planner, Interpretive Solutions, Inc. Vid Mednis Associate Planner, Interpretive Solutions, Inc.

56 Appendices

Appendix A: Fort Necessity’s Affiliated Indian Nations

The American Indian nations having ancestral affiliation with Fort Necessity are as follows:

Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Delaware Nation, Anadarko, Oklahoma Cayuga Nation, Versailles, New York Oneida Indian Nation, Verona, New York Onondaga Indian Nation, Nedrow, New York Seneca Nation of Indians, Irving, New York Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin Huron-Potawatomi, Fulton, Michigan Delaware Trust Board, Bartlesville, Oklahoma Shawnee Tribe, Miami, Oklahoma Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, Tahlequah, Oklahoma Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Michigan Saint Regis Mohawk Nation, Awkwesane, New York Tonawanda Band of Seneca, Basom, New York Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Shawnee, Oklahoma Delaware Nation, Anadarko, Oklahoma Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee, North Carolina Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Cass Lake, Minnesota Tuscarora Nation, Lewiston, New York Seneca Nation (Salamanca), Salamanca, New York Oneida Nation of New York, Canastota, New York Abenaki Tribal Council, Missiquoi, Vermont Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Hogansburg, New York

57 Fort Necessity National Battlefield Long Range Interpretive Plan

Appendix B: Federal Regulations Regarding American Indian Consultation

Federal regulations for implementation of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, require consultation with federally recognized American Indian tribes (36 CFR 800.2) on a government-to-government basis, as specified in Executive Order 13175. Thus, 36 CFR PART 800—“Protection of Historic Properties” states in Sec. 800. 2(c) (2): (ii) Consultation on historic properties of significance to Indian tribes. Section 101(d) (6) (B) of the act requires the agency official to consult with any Indian tribe that attaches religious and cultural significance to historic properties that may be affected by an undertaking. (A) The agency official shall ensure that consultation in the section 106 process provides the Indian tribe a reasonable opportunity to identify its concerns about historic properties, advise on the identification and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural importance, articulate its views on the undertaking’s effects on such properties, and participate in the resolution of adverse effects.

The administration of Fort Necessity National Battlefield is committed to honoring in full good faith its legal obligations and responsibilities toward the sovereign, federally recognized American Indian nations. Fort Necessity proposes conducting face-to-face consultations with representatives of the identified American Indian nations listed below on a government-to-government basis with regards to: (1) separate project proposals involving historic properties and programming with potential religious and cultural significance; and (2) development of agreements with Indian nations that cover all aspects of tribal participation in the Section 106 process. These consultation efforts will include both Fort Necessity meetings with individual nations as well as larger joint meetings with all identified nations having ancestral affiliations with Fort Necessity lands and its history. Fort Necessity would like to propose to meet with one representative from each of the nation listed below. This would include per diem funding (lodging and M&IE).

As noted, Federal regulations for the implementation of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, require consultation with federally recognized American Indian nations (36 CFR 800.2) on a government-to-government basis, as specified in Executive Order 13175. There are both legal and operational justifications to engage in one-on-one consultations with individual American Indian nations as well as hold joint meetings with designated representatives of all American Indian nations listed having ancestral affiliations with Fort Necessity lands and its history. Fort Necessity would like to formalize a working relationship between the Park and American Indian nations listed so they have an opportunity to discuss issues of mutual concern including: interpretation, resource management, education and contracting. Fort Necessity is now working on their Long Range Interpretive Plan (LRIP) and the representatives for the American Indian nations listed may discuss their traditional associations in an open forum to provide guidance in the decision- making process at Fort Necessity.

58 Appendices

Appendix C: Interpretive Matrix for Curriculum-based Audiences, Grades K-12

Planners used the following matrix to analyze the site’s school programs, identifying gaps in service to be rectified during implementation of the LRIP. Not all of Fort Neces- sity’s themes are appropriate at all grade levels, but each can be introduced in early years, building a conceptual foundation upon which fully-realized themes can be offered in subsequent years. A student who visits Fort Necessity six times at various stages of his or her schooling will be exposed to the full range of the site’s themes by the time he or she graduates high school.

Audience: Curriculum-Based, K-12

Theme Grade 1. French & 2. American 3. George 4. National Road 5. Historical Indian War Indians* Washington Integrity 3-4 HS HS HS HS y/o GAP? K-2 [Stewardship]

T&W 3 Exhibit Pre-visit

Pre-visit C in C Film C in C 4-6 Film Film Pre-visit Exhibit guide Guided Self-guided

Soldier [American Soldier Film Soldier 7-9 Self-guided Indian] Film Exhibit Exhibit Guide Film GAP?

Soldier [American Soldier Soldier 10-12 Self-guided Indian] Film Film Exhibit Guide Film GAP?

* - weakest

[ ]: Program under development HS: HeadStart T&W: Travelers & Workers C in C: Cultures in Conflict

59 National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Fort Necessity National Battlefield One Washington Parkway Farmington, PA 15437 www.nps.gov/fone

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