National Park Week proclaimed
The president has proclaimed April 21-27, National Park Week as a week of celebration and recognition of national parks. Throughout the nation, including southwestern Pennsylvania, the National Park Service is ready to kick off a summer of adventure and learning with special exhibits, hikes and programs. There are 388 sites in the National Park System. Fayette County boasts two of them, Fort Necessity National Battlefield in Farmington and Friendship Hill National Historic Site near Point Marion.
“I encourage everyone to take a moment, an hour, or a day to visit the national parks nearby,” said Keith Newlin, acting superintendent of the sites. “Come and see what the national park sites in southwestern Pennsylvania have to offer during National Park Week and year round.”
At Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Rangers are looking to the past and to the future. During National Park week, officials will evaluate contract proposals for the construction of a new Interpretive Center at the park. Work on the exhibits for the new center has already begun.
Rangers will also take this opportunity to commemorate the rediscovery of Fort Necessity. It was 50 years ago this month that archaeologist J.C. Harrington found the charred remains of the fort. An exhibit commemorating the event will open at the park visitor center on April 17, in time for National Park Week. The exhibit, which contains some of the original posts, will be on display through the summer. The posts will be included in the exhibits of the new center when it opens.
Friendship Hill National Historic Site is collaborating with Elderhostel Pittsburgh for a program titled “Wildflowers and Wild Beasts-Friendship Hills Natural Side.” Advance registration through Elderhostel Pittsburgh is required to participate in this full day program. Call 1-877-426-8056 to register.
Friendship Hill National Historic Site will host a Spring Concert on the lawn, Sunday, May 4, at 2 p.m. Music will be provided by the Albert Gallatin South Middle School Band.
Other national parks in the area include Johnstown Flood National Memorial in St. Michael and Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site in Gallitzin. The National Park Service will also operate the permanent Flight 93 Memorial when it opens.
For information on National Park Week events in communities and national parks across the country, check out www.nps.gov/npweek
. For more information on events in southwestern Pennsylvania’s national parks, call the Visitor Center staff at the parks: Fort Necessity National Battlefield, 724-329-5512; Friendship Hill National Historic Site, 724-725-9109; Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, 814-886-6150 and Johnstown Flood National Memorial, 814-495-4643.