Knox's Headquarters, Vail's Gate, NY

The Georgian-style Ellison House is where General Henry Knox, the Continental Army's commander of artillery, was headquartered in 1780 and 1781, while training his soldiers in a nearby artillery park. Later, it served as quarters for Major General Horatio Gates, commander of the Cantonment. The handsome fieldstone house contains some fine paneling and is also furnished with period pieces to reflect its military use. A small museum contains displays about the Ellisons and their illustrious guests. The 52-acre grounds feature several hiking trails and the Jane Colden Native Plant Sanctuary, containing more than 100 species of wildflowers; a visit in the spring is suggested.