Historic Moland House Park – A 12 acre park in Hartsville, PA, that served as General George Washington’s Headquarters for two weeks in August 1777 – welcomed Members of the Oneida Indian Nation during its annual Flag Day celebration on Sunday, June 12.

Sheri Beglen (Wolf Clan) and Ron Patterson (Wolf Clan) celebrated the relationship between the Oneida Indian Nation and the United States. Sheri depicted Polly Cooper who, according to Oneida oral tradition, walked several hundred miles from CNY to Valley Forge in the cruel winter of 1777-78 to help feed Gen. George Washington’s starving troops.

“At that time our people didn’t write down our history. A lot of soldiers kept logs, and we are fortunate they kept those logs,” she said.
The Oneida are known as First Allies of the United States having fought with the colonists during the American Revolution having participated in key battles such as Oriskany and Saratoga, and traveled hundreds of miles to deliver corn to Washington’s starving troops at Valley Forge.

Historic Moland House Park – a 12 acre park in Hartsville, PA, that served as General George Washington’s Headquarters for two weeks in August 1777 – welcomed Members of the Oneida Indian Nation during its annual Flag Day celebration on Sunday, June 12.

Ron delved into Oneida history including pre-Revolutionary history, key moments during the Revolutionary War and the 1794 signing of the Treaty of Canadaigua. The treaty was highlighted earlier this year during a special event at the White House attended by Oneida and other members of the Haudenosaunee celebrating the 222nd anniversary of the Treaty of Canandaigua -- the oldest treaty still recognized by the federal government.

“Most people don’t know about our relationship with the federal government. They don’t even know that we still get the treaty cloth from the government,” added Sheri. “That’s powerful.”

Each year the Moland House honors our Nation’s Flag with a traditional ceremony during an open house held close to Flag Day (observed June 14). Just prior to the Oneida presentation, Revolutionary War historian, Ed Greenawald, opened the event with a brief discussion about the history of the flag. Boy Scout Troop #172 of Warrington raised the flag and participants sang the National Anthem.