Polly Cooper (Oneida) was a hero to the American soldiers stationed at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the Revolutionary War. She and other Oneida Nation representatives travelled more than four hundred miles through the bitter cold during the winter of 1777–78 to deliver corn to General George Washington’s starving troops. While the rest of the Oneida relief party returned home, Cooper stayed, saying it was the Oneida’s duty to help their allies.

Valley Forge is the place for an outdoor history lesson, thanks to its past as a winter encampment for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Set across 3,500 acres, the park features plenty of space for biking, wildlife-watching, and hiking — but check out the Mount Misery trail if you want to see some old ruins. Nearby: If the kids are hiked out but still want some nature, consider a trip to the Elmwood Park Zoo, about nine miles from the park.

The site of the winter encampment of the Continental Army in 1777-78, Valley Forge National Historical Park is regarded by many as the birthplace of the American army. It was here that Washington and his troops developed the concepts of basic training, the officer corps, and the rise of the army’s distinctive branches, including the corps of engineers. Visit Washington’s headquarters or the soldier’s reconstructed log huts, now home to living history programs.