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Sunday, June 30, 2002

Compiled by Len Barcousky

DOING IT IN A DAY: George Washington crisscrossed Western Pennsylvania on numerous missions and played many roles: negotiator, spy, military commander, land speculator and commander in chief.

Here are directions to some places you can visit where the young Washington slept, fought and, sometimes, failed.

POINT STATE PARK/FORT PITT MUSEUM:

At the edge of Downtown Pittsburgh, 36-acre Point State Park is the home to The Fort Pitt Museum. Its displays provide a good introduction to the history of southwestern Pennsylvania and Washington's role in it.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays; and from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays; 412-281-9284 or http://www.fortpittmuseum.com.

Museum admissions fees have been temporarily reduced: adults, $2; seniors, $1.50; children 6-12, $1; family, $6.

During the week, parking Downtown is expensive and hard to find. Visitors can park across the Monongahela River in lots around Station Square and take the subway to Gateway Center. Alternatively, park across the Allegheny River in lots between PNC Park and Heinz Field and walk over the Fort Duquesne Bridge.

BRADDOCK/NORTH BRADDOCK:

This is where Washington accompanied British Gen. Edward Braddock on a campaign that led to a crushing defeat for the British.

There is a statue of Washington on Jones Street in North Braddock, two blocks north of Braddock's main street, Braddock Avenue.

The center of the battlefield is now occupied by the Little League field behind the statue.

Also stop at the Braddock Carnegie Library, 419 Library St. (412-351-5356). This is where the Braddock's Field Historical Society operates a beautiful one-room museum that houses original paintings, prints, maps and artifacts. Tours are usually self-guided.

To reach Braddock from Downtown, take the Parkway East (Route 376) toward Monroeville. Take the Forest Hills exit, and continue south on Ardmore Boulevard (Route 30) about 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Yost Boulevard. After about 1 mile, Yost Boulevard turns into Sixth Street.

As you enter Braddock, turn left at the traffic light onto Braddock Avenue. Go two short blocks and turn left onto Library Street. The Braddock Carnegie Library is at 319 Library St. There is parking on the street. The society asks a $2 donation for adults.

Library staff advise museum-goers to visit between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

The battlefield and statue of Washington are two blocks farther up the hill, opposite Fairless Intermediate School.

BRADDOCK'S GRAVE, JUMONVILLE AND FORT NECESSITY:

Fort Necessity National Battlefield (724-329-5512 or http://www.nps.gov/fone/fonehome.htm) is 11 miles southeast of Uniontown and includes three areas.

The visitor center provides excellent small maps showing the location of the reconstructed Fort Necessity, nearby Braddock's Grave, and Jumonville Glen, about five miles away from the main park near the crest of Chestnut Ridge.

The National Park Service screens a short videotape offering an introduction to the area and the French and Indian War. Depending on the day of the week and the season, tours of Fort Necessity are either self-guided or provided by park rangers.

The visitor center at Fort Necessity is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Park areas are open sunrise to sunset. Admission is $3.

One way to get to Fort Necessity from Pittsburgh is via the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76). Get off at New Stanton and take Route 119 south to Uniontown. Then take Route 40 east.

Jumonville Road is on the left at the summit of Chestnut Ridge; Braddock's Grave is about three miles down the hill on the left; the main entrance to Fort Necessity is another mile farther on the right.