Wharton: History and Nature for Your Stay

When looking for a hotel in Wharton, it’s worth considering what you want to focus on during your trip. Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Mount Washington Tavern are located near the destination. The battlefield combines a historic site with trails through woods and meadows. Touchstone presents exhibitions in Farmington, and Wharton Township, the municipality it belongs to, has a public recreational park. The reasons to visit vary considerably: history, exhibitions, and sports or play areas each offer a different focus.

Fort Necessity: Battle, Landscape, and Trails

The Battle of Fort Necessity took place on July 3, 1754, in the Great Meadows. It was the opening battle of the French and Indian War; nearby Fort Necessity National Battlefield commemorates the event. The Great Meadows Battlefield surrounds the reconstructed Fort Necessity. The landscape has been restored to resemble its appearance in 1754 as closely as possible. Here, the history of the battle meets a landscape designed to evoke that period.

The Fort Necessity/National Road Interpretive and Education Center is the park’s visitor center. Its 20-minute orientation film, “Road of Necessity,” traces the route from Washington’s first journey across the Alleghenies to the creation of the National Road. The film thus moves from the history of the fort to a broader topic in the region’s past. This offers you a different perspective from an up-close encounter with the battlefield: the focus also includes Washington’s journey and the development of the National Road.

Five miles of hiking trails around Fort Necessity wind through woods and meadows; trail conditions may vary. Two tours each include seven stops. The path from the visitor center to the fort is wheelchair accessible, paved, and mostly level. The tours and trail network offer different ways to explore the site. Check which tours are currently available before your visit.

Mount Washington Tavern and the National Road

Mount Washington Tavern was built along the National Road in the 1830s. James and Rebecca Sampey owned and operated the building together with their family. Stagecoach travelers used it, and it was also served by the Good Intent Stagecoach Line. This stop in the history of travel complements Fort Necessity, which focuses on the 1754 battle.

The tavern is set up as a self-guided museum. It is open seasonally from May 1 through October 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check seasonal opening hours before your visit.

Exhibitions and Visit Planning

The Touchstone Center for Crafts presents exhibitions in Farmington, Pennsylvania. Individual exhibition dates may vary. The Farmington location is currently open to visitors by appointment only. Plan your visit by arranging an appointment in advance.

Wharton Township Recreational Park is located in Wharton Township. It is open to the public and has tennis courts, a basketball court, and a playground. Several pavilions are also available to rent for events. The park offers different opportunities from the historic sites: as well as sports and play, it has pavilions that can be rented for events. If an event is part of your reason for traveling, confirm rental availability in advance.

Discover more destinations: Perryopolis, Uniontown, Champion, Connellsville

For the main travel overview: Fayette County.