WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A local lawmaker wants the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study to designate Washington's Trail as a national historic trail. 

The trail spans from Virginia, through western Pennsylvania, all the way to Erie. 

The trail traces the steps of a 21-year-old George Washington, as he traveled in 1753 to deliver a letter to French forces who had assembled at Fort LeBoeuf in present-day Waterford amid the build-up of the French and Indian war. 

During his journey, Washington was nearly shot by an Indian guide near Harmony, PA.  

“I think it's incredibly important for people to understand that he wasn't on a highway, he wasn't on a turnpike. He was on horseback making his way 500 miles to deliver a message to the French,” said Rep. Mike Kelly (R- PA), who’s sponsoring the bill to require the feasibility study. 

Kelly says local communities and historians have been advocating for the designation for many years. Receiving it, Kelly says, is one way to ensure Washington's journey is not forgotten. 

“As we go forward into the future- while we may not be here- the story is still here, the historic relevance of it is still here,” said Kelly. “It's important for this next generation and the generations after to understand who came before you and what happened before you. These people made sacrifices and they did things that are almost unbelievably hard to achieve. But they did it.” 

The bipartisan bill also has support from Representatives Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Summer Lee (D-PA), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), and Alex Mooney (R-WV) who are original co-sponsors.