History enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to step back into the American Revolution as the trial of Major John André is reenacted at the original location where the proceedings took place more than 245 years ago in Tappan.

In September 1780, André, a British Army officer and intelligence chief under General Sir Henry Clinton, was captured while carrying documents connected to Benedict Arnold’s plot to surrender West Point to British forces. His arrest led to one of the most significant espionage trials of the Revolutionary War.

The military tribunal was convened in Tappan, then part of Orange County and now located in Rockland County, under the authority of General George Washington. A board of senior Continental Army officers reviewed the evidence against André and ultimately determined that he had acted as a spy while operating behind American lines.

The reenactment will bring these historic proceedings to life, offering visitors a firsthand look at the courtroom drama, legal arguments, and difficult decisions that shaped one of the Revolution’s most studied cases. Organizers aim to recreate the event with historical accuracy, drawing from period records and firsthand accounts.

Following the trial, André was convicted and executed in Tappan on October 2, 1780. His case remains a defining episode in Revolutionary War history and is closely linked to Benedict Arnold’s betrayal, one of the most infamous acts of treason in American history.

By returning the trial to its original setting, the reenactment provides a rare opportunity for visitors to experience history in the very place where it unfolded, deepening the connection between the past and present for history buffs, educators, students, and the public alike.

Registration Fee: $15.00  

Register for the event on Eventbrite:   Eventbrite Registration Page