Joshua Hett Smith House

The Joshua Hett Smith House was a two-story structure built in the Georgian style, positioned with views overlooking the Hudson River. It featured symmetrical windows and a central entrance that gave the building its characteristic formal appearance typical of the era.

During the American Revolution in 1780, the house served as the meeting place where General Benedict Arnold and British Major John Andre discussed plans to surrender West Point to the British. This gathering represented one of the war's most critical moments, as it threatened to compromise one of America's most strategically important fortifications.

The property became known locally as 'Treason House', a name that reflected its connection to one of the most notorious acts of betrayal in American military history. This label remained embedded in the community's memory and served as a reminder of the moral weight of the events that unfolded there.

The original building no longer stands, having been demolished in 1929 to make way for hospital expansion in the West Haverstraw area. Visitors will find no physical structure at the site today, though the historical significance of the location can still be appreciated through markers or local information available in the community.

General George Washington used this residence as his headquarters for five days in August 1781 during his military campaign toward Yorktown, Virginia. This visit occurred at a turning point in the conflict, just before the war's final major battle took place.

GPS coordinates: 41.21330,-73.98850

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:02