National Park | American History Lives at American Heritage

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National Portal to
Historic Collections

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American Association for State and Local History

Why do we need a national nonprofit membership society for American history?

“Save America’s Treasures” has been totally eliminated—the largest Federal program supporting preservation of such treasures as the original Star Spangled Banner and George Washington’s tent.
65% of Americans don’t know what happened at the Constitutional Convention, according to a recent survey by Newsweek.
The “Teaching American History” grants—the largest Federal program supporting history education—have been completely eliminated.
Visits to the Top 20 Civil War battlefields have dropped in half from 1970 to 2009 according to official National Park Service statistics.
40% of Americans can’t identify whom we fought in World War II, according to a recent survey by Newsweek.
A quarter of Americans believe Congress shares power over U.S. foreign policy with the United Nations, according to a recent Annenberg survey.
“There is little that is more important for an American citizen to know than the history and traditions of his country,” John F. Kennedy wrote in American Heritage.
The “We the People Program,” which touched some 30 million students and 90,000 teachers over 25 years, has been completely eliminated.
Two-thirds of Americans could not correctly name Yorktown as the last major military action of the American Revolution, according to a recent national Gallup survey.
The National Heritage Areas and Scenic Byways program, the only major Federal program encouraging visits to historic places, has been completely eliminated in Congressional committee.

Brass Kettle Piece

Site:

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

This brass kettle piece was used by the Odawa or Ottawa, a Canadian tribe, who were allied to the French. Some of members of the tribe participated in the attack on the British forces under Lt. Col. Washington at Fort Necessity.

Recently, they loaned artifacts now on exhibit at Fort Necessity National Battlefield such as this one.

National Park

Potogan Made by the Odawa Indians

Site:

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

Potogans, such as this modern reproduction made from white birch, were used by the Odawa and other Native American tribes to grind corn.

The Odawa or Ottawa, a Canadian tribe, were allied to the French. Some of members of the tribe participated in the attack on the British forces under Lt. Col. Washington at Fort Necessity.

Recently, they loaned artifacts now on exhibit at Fort Necessity National Battlefield.

National Park

Swivel Shot Found at Fort Necessity

Site:

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

The British forces carried several swivel guns overland on their march from Alexandria, Virginia to Fort Necessity. Swivel guns were small cannon that could be quickly manueuvered by hand and used to fire grape shot or other large balls at approaching troops.

Brass Surveyor's Compass

Site:

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

Lt. Col. George Washington undoubtedly would have had surveying equipment such as this compass with him, since a major goal of the expedition was the creation of a road from Fort Cumberland towards French-held Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh.)

Washington's first survey exercise dates to 1747, which he was 16. The following year he accompanied George William Fairfax and James Genn, Surveyor of Prince William County, on a month-long trip west across the Blue Ridge Mountains to survey land for Thomas, Lord Fairfax.

National Park

Folding Knife

Site:

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

A folding knife was one of the items found during the excavations at the Great Meadows, near Fort Necessity.

National Park

Head of a Mattock

Date:

1750s

Site:

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

This mattock head found near Fort Necessity was likely used to dig postholes or loosen dirt for the earthen defenses.

National Park

British Pistol

Date:

1740s

Site:

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

British officers at Fort Necessity would likely have used pistols similar to this one dating from the 1740s.

National Park

British Broad Axe

Site:

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

This head of a British broad axe was excavated near Fort Necessity.

British Officer's Gorget

Date:

1750s

Site:

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

British officers wore gorgets such as this one under their chins for protection. This reproduction is on display at Fort Necessity National Battlefield.

Original Stockade Post from Fort Necessity

Site:

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

Victorious French troops burned the stockade after Col. Washington surrendered. Almost 200 years later, archaeologist J.C. Harrington recovered the undergrond portion of this white oak post which survived the blaze. View other posts.

National Park