Feb 26, 2003 By Steve Ferris 4 min read

FARMINGTON – Young British Lt. Col. George Washington led Virginia troops to a victorious surprise attack on a small French party camped close by, but was forced to surrender after the French counter attacked a couple months later at small fort he built in a nearby meadow 249 years ago. The bloody fighting started the French and Indian War, which turned out to be a prelude for the American colonies to revolt and win freedom from Great Britain.

While the start of the French and Indian War turns 250 years old next year, an effort is already under way to improve and expand forts, battlefields and other historical sites throughout Western Pennsylvania to make heritage tourism more educational and appealing to visitors.

The Laurel Highland Visitors Bureau calls the effort “War for Empire” and invited business owners to a meeting Tuesday at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa to hear how historical sites are preparing for the six-year anniversary from 2004 through 2010. The anniversary is separated from the war, which was fought from 1754 to 1760, by 250 years.

Since the fighting started in Fayette County’s Jumonville Glen, where Washington whipped the French, and Fort Necessity, where he later surrendered, both sites received top billing Tuesday.

The National Park Service has committed $23 million upgrade and expand 18 war sites, including $11.5 million for Fort Necessity, said Debbie Corll of the Pittsburgh-based War for Empire Consortium.

“These are the very places were history happened,” said Fort Necessity Superintendent Joanne Hanley of the National Park Service.

On July 1, 2004, the Pittsburgh Symphony will present a free evening performance outside in Great Meadows, Hanley said.

Then on July 3 and 4, the days the Battle of Fort Necessity was fought in 1754, Washington’s manuscript, which is his handwritten account of the war, will be on display in the visitors center, Hanely said.

There will also be a re-enactment of the battle and an encampment of 500 to 800 re-enactors, she said.

She intends to send requests for proposals to food vendors and crafters to set up booths at the event.

In May 2005 – the 250th anniversary of British Gen. Edward Braddock’s march from Virginia to Braddock, which included an encampment in Fort Necessity – the fort will unveil its interpretive and education center.

Hanley said RFPs have been sent to some contractors and local contractors interested in the construction project should contact her.

The construction contract will be awarded in April this year and work will start in May. The project will take two years to complete, she said.

Corll urged the 70 people who gathered at Nemacolin to help Southwestern Pennsylvania to become the national leaders of heritage tourism and promote the region as a center for colonial history. She said the six surrounding states also have historical sites.

She said a K-12 curriculum about the war is being developed for the anniversary to make the sites educational school field trips.

Donna Holdorf of the National Road Heritage Corridor urged all business owners in the county to partner with each other to take advantage of the expected influx of tourists, and to prepare their employees to assist visitors.

“Who is around me that I can partner with,” Holdorf asked rhetorically. “Attach yourself with other people who have the same opportunities.”

She said “point of sale” or “point of contact” employees should be knowledgeable and be prepared to answer questions and give directions.

Sharon Clay of the Christian W. Clay Winery in Chalk Hill gave the audience examples of marketing strategies the winery has already started in anticipation of the anniversary.

She said three new wines named “Fort Necessity,” “Jumonville Glen” and “Braddock’s Gold” are already for sale, but a contest will be held to name the fourth, which will be a limited edition.

French and Indian War-themed dinners are also being planned, Clay said.

She said all businesses should find some type of commemorative product.

“We struggle so hard (to market the area) when there is so much here,” Clay said. “Everybody can do something to be an ambassador for the anniversary.”

Representatives from Fort Ligonier and Bushy Run Battlefield also attended the meeting and discussed anniversary plans at their sites.