The National Parks of Western Pennsylvania (WEPA) will celebrate the 106th birthday of the National Park Service with a special event, WEPA in a Weekend, on Thursday, August 25 through Sunday, August 28, 2022. WEPA includes the following five parks: Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Flight 93 National Memorial, Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Friendship Hill National Historic Site.
National parks are home to many of the nation’s most beloved memorials, historic sites, battlefields, and iconic landscapes. The WEPA parks tell the diverse story of America over 247 years, from the opening battle of the French and Indian War at Fort Necessity, to the crash of Flight 93 on September 11, 2001.
“The National Parks of Western Pennsylvania provide a place for local residents and visitors from around the world to recreate, relax, and find inspiration,” said Superintendent Stephen M. Clark. “WEPA in a Weekend encourages visitors to learn about these special places over the National Park Service birthday.”
The five parks provide a great place to hike, picnic, spend time with friends and family, and learn about the area’s rich history. During WEPA in a Weekend, visitors can collect a medallion specific to each of the respective WEPA parks just by visiting over this free four-day event, while supplies last. Join us during WEPA in a Weekend to Find Your Park!
ALLEGHENY PORTAGE RAILROAD NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site was the first railroad over the Allegheny Mountains and the final link to the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal. For more information about Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, visit https://www.nps.gov/alpo.
JOHNSTOWN FLOOD NATIONAL MEMORIAL
Johnstown Flood National Memorial commemorates the Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889 that killed 2,209 people when the South Fork Dam failed. For more information about Johnstown Flood National Memorial, visit https://www.nps.gov/jofl.
FLIGHT 93 NATIONAL MEMORIAL
Flight 93 National Memorial commemorates the passengers and crew members of Flight 93 who, on September 11, 2001, courageously gave their lives thereby thwarting a planned attack on our nation’s capital. For more information about Flight 93 National Memorial, visit www.nps.gov/flni.
FORT NECESSITY NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
Fort Necessity National Battlefield is the site of the opening battle of the French and Indian War that ended with the removal of French power from North America. For more information about Fort Necessity National Battlefield, visit www.nps.gov/fone.
FRIENDSHIP HILL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Friendship Hill was the home of Albert Gallatin, an immigrant financier, politician, and diplomat who served as Secretary of the Treasury under Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. For more information about Friendship Hill National Historic Site, visit www.nps.gov/frhi.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
More than 22,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 units of the National Park System and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.