The best camping near Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

Chances are good that you've never heard of Thaddeus Kosciuszko. This small national park unit offers a tiny peek into a man who helped win the American Revolution.

Kosciuszko was friends with Thomas Jefferson. He was also a brilliant engineer and a freedom fighter. The Polish citizen arrived in Philadelphia in August 1776. The area was ripe for independence. He acquainted himself with Benjamin Franklin, and the two discussed how to best defend the colonies.

Kosciuszko proved his prowess to the Continental Army in short order. The engineer designed forts and blockades along the strategic Delaware River. He also created Fort Mercer in New Jersey. His concepts were so well thought-out, he earned the rank of colonel in the Continental Army.

Everywhere Kosciuszko went, battles seemed to follow. He aided the colonists' retreat from Fort Ticonderoga in New York in 1777. Five years later, he participated in a skirmish in Charleston, South Carolina, the last battle of the war.

Kosciuszko's home in Philadelphia looks like any other historic brick building. Inside, the site pays homage to an unsung hero of the Revolution. The house contains artifacts and information from his life. Larger sites, such as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, are a few blocks away.

Even though he's obscure, Kosciuszko's name lives on in many respects. A bridge in New York, a school in New Jersey, a town in Mississippi and a mountain in Australia all bear his name. When you go camping near Philadelphia, remember to check out the home of this forgotten hero.