Treason Site historic marker, Haverstraw

What it is

This is a photograph taken by NYErik on 18 August 2011 of a historic marker in the Dutchtown area south of Haverstraw, New York. The brown sign is titled TREASON SITE and has a gold seal at the top. Its text describes American General Benedict Arnold and British Major John André plotting the surrender of West Point in 1780. The marker stands in a leafy wooded area on the shore pathway.

Why it matters

The plot at this location was a key moment in the story of Arnold's betrayal. West Point was an important American fort on the Hudson River, and the plan to hand it to the British failed when André was captured. The marker keeps the place linked to a secret deal between two officers who were working against the American cause. It is a modern sign, so it reflects how later people chose to tell the story.

Look closer

• Why does the marker use the word "treason" in its title, and whose view does that reflect?
• What does the marker say about the two men, and what does it not explain?
• How might a quiet wooded path have been a place for secret meetings?