Bushy Run Battlefield Park is a 218-acre park run by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) and the Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society. It is located near Harrison City and Jeanette along Route 933 in Pittsburgh, PA.
As crucial as the Battle of Bushy Run was to American history, it is less widely recognized. It was the battle's location during the struggle known as the Pontiac War (1763–64), where the British and Native Americans fought a critical battle in which the British prevailed. The park is the only historical site or museum dedicated solely to the rebellion of Pontiac. More information
History of the Battle
Historical events like the Battle of Bushy Run helped shape America's future. In 1763, during the Pontiac Rebellion, the Battle of Bushy Run was fought on the same site where the park is currently located.
On the night of August 5–6, 1763, a group of Native American warriors fought a British force at Bushy Run in retaliation for British laws and practices they saw as harmful to their land and culture. Unknown numbers of Delawareans, Shawnees, Mingos, and Hurons were killed, including two notable chieftains. Ultimately, the British forces triumphed, ending the Native American revolt known as the Pontiac Rebellion and Britain's expanding dominance in North America.
A British rescue column led by Colonel Henry Bouquet was engaged in combat with a united army of native warriors, and the British won. The British gained control of the Ohio River Valley and the Northwest Territories due to the fight, which was a decisive success for the British army.
History of the Park
Bushy Run Battlefield Park was designated a state park in the 1920s and a National Historic Landmark in 1960.
The Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society, Inc. (BRBHS) was founded in 1980 to preserve the park as an educational, recreational, and historical resource for the community.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) and BRBHS have agreed to work together to promote and create educational and historical activities at Bushy Run Battlefield in line with their agreement. These activities include gift acceptance, donations, financial assistance, fundraising, and operational maintenance.
As a result of the state's ongoing fiscal problems, numerous PHMC museums were forced to shut permanently in August 2009. There were plans to close the Bushy Run Battlefield. The Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society, the site's volunteer group, has helped keep the museum operational despite financial constraints.
As of May 5, 2010, an agreement was reached between the Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), allowing volunteers to staff and run the museum.
Amenities of the Park
Bushy Run Battlefield is a fantastic spot to visit if you want to learn more about the war and Pontiac's Rebellion. In reality, this is the only surviving Native American battleground in Pennsylvania and the only place in the United States devoted entirely to the Pontiac Rebellion.
To visit Bushy Run Battlefield, one must pay for admission. Adults pay $5, with a discount of $0.50 for those 65 years of age or older. There is a $3 fee for children between the ages of 12 and 3 and free admission for infants under 3. Those currently serving in the armed forces and the members of their immediate families are eligible for this offer of free entrance.
With various activities and displays at the park, visitors learn more about Bushy Run Battlefield, Pontiac's War, and the French and Indian War. Programs include commemoration of the Battle of Bushy Run, reenactments, encampments, and displays of traditional crafts.
The Bushy Run Battlefield's visitor center is the best place to begin a site tour. It has a museum display, a theater, a gift store, and battlefield excursions. The Visitor Center is open from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays and from 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. on Sundays.
From the Visitor Center, all guided excursions depart. If you have the time, visit the small but interesting museum on the site of the fight.
Take a guided or self-guided walk of the 213-acre battlefield from the park's Visitor's Center, where you can see artifacts and a short video on the war. You may visit the museum at Bushy Run Battlefield while you wait for your tour guide to arrive. It is customary to see battle reenactments during the first weekend of August each year.
Few individuals are aware of the historical significance of the American Revolutionary War. While this makes it a fascinating spot to explore, it also means that it is often forgotten. The British pact with the Native Americans, which put an end to the uprising, was a significant factor in the outbreak of the American Revolution. More about Murrysville, PA.
