Fort Necessity/National Road Interpretive and Education Center opens

Congressman John Murtha cuts the ribbon and David McCullough delivers the keynote address at dedication ceremony
Farmington, PA – October 8, 2005 - Fort Necessity National Battlefield was filled with anticipation and visitors today as the National Park Service, in partnership with the National Road Heritage Corridor, opened the new Fort Necessity/National Road Interpretive and Education Center.
In attendance were U S Congressman John Murtha, NPS Northeast Regional Director, Mary Bomar; Senator Allen Kukovich, Director, Governor’s Southwest Regional Office; Cindy Adams Dunn; DCNR Director of the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation; and Joanne Hanley, Executive Director of NPS Western Pennsylvania.
The rain and clouds didn’t dampen the excitement of the attendees anxious to see the new interpretive center and hear historian David McCullough. “The contractors, fabricators and installers, along with NPS staff put the finishing touches on the center this week,” said Ken Mabery, Superintendent. “It was a hectic time but the reward is seeing and hearing visitors’ talk about their positive interpretive experience.”
Congressman John Murtha, whose support and participation took this new center from a dream to a reality said, “Historians now recognize the French and Indian War was the first world war. If the outcome of the conflict had been different, Western Pennsylvania would have been part of a French empire, the American Revolution would not have happened and the world would be dramatically different today. This beautiful new interpretive center will help explain to visitors of all ages the vital role that events here at Fort Necessity played in the struggle to create the free nation we live in today.”
The Fort Necessity/National Road Interpretive and Education planning began over 10 years ago. This $12 million dollar project was a true public/ private partnership and several representatives of the supporting foundations were in the audience today. “The true meaning of partnership is exemplified in this center,” commented Joanne Hanley, NPS, Executive Director of Western PA. “We knew we had a challenge - to build a state-of-the-art interpretive experience that would bring to life two important events in the history of this nation, the French & Indian War and the building of the National Road. We met that challenge, and I applaud all of those people and organizations that helped the Park Service and our partner, the National Road Heritage Corridor, in this effort.”
Christopher Chadbourne, the renowned exhibit design group from Boston, was on hand to explain the technology used in the design and development. Donna Holdorf, Executive Director, observed, “The visitor experience in the new center is an immersion into the story. The cast figures, interpretive panels, and media used by the designer, make history come alive as they transport you through the skirmish at Jumonville, the first battle of the French & Indian War at Fort Necessity, continuing on to the events that led to the Revolutionary War and into the construction of the National Road and tavern life for travelers.
This level of interpretation does an excellent job of not only informing visitors, but enticing them to seek out other related sites that further tell the history of the French & Indian War as well as the Historic National Road.”
In her remarks, Mary Bomar, NPS Northeast Regional Director, said ". Whether your ancestors came here two centuries ago, or if you arrived just two weeks ago, there are places that unite all of us as Americans. This is one of those places."
Cindy Dunn, Director, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, spoke about the DCNR’s participation in the project, “We are pleased to have played a role with the National Park Service and other partners in making this interpretive center a reality. This interpretive center is just one example of how the partnerships generated within heritage regions of Pennsylvania result in on-the-ground attractions for residents and visitors alike.”
Representing Governor Rendell at the event and echoing the same sentiment was Allen Kukovich, Director of the Governor’s Southwestern Regional Office. “Tourism continues to be a leading industry here in the Commonwealth,” he said. “Pennsylvania’s history and heritage goes to the very fabric of what built this great nation. Without exception, the French and Indian War was a key factor in the development of our country, and the construction of the National Road carried that budding nation westward. The Commonwealth’s investment of $4.3 million into this interpretive center was an investment in preserving the history and the resources of the events, as well as the enhancement of a visitor destination that will entice visitors to explore this place, the region and the Commonwealth.”