A New Exhibit at Fraunces Tavern Highlights the Infamous Birch Trials

Following this week’s Juneteenth celebrations at the African Burial Ground and throughout the city, another Lower Manhattan landmark is paying tribute to a piece of Black American history. ”The Birch Trials at Fraunces Tavern,” a new exhibition set to open at Fraunces Tavern (54 Pearl St.) on June 27, highlights the Black soldiers who remained loyal to the British in the Revolutionary War and had to answer for it during the infamous Birch Trials of 1783. 

That year, under the direction of British General Samuel Birch, a joint board of British and American leaders met regularly at Fraunces Tavern to decide the fate of 3,000 Black soldiers who were ultimately evacuated from New York City. The new exhibition invites visitors to enter the space and observe a replica of the Birch commission’s setup, arranged just as it was when soldiers waited for the general’s panel to enter the room and hear their cases. 

Attendees will also explore art and written communication that highlighted the role of Black soldiers, many of whom had previously been enslaved by Colonial Americans.

The Fraunces Tavern Museum is offering $1 admission on opening day. (Tickets are generally $4 to $7.) For more information on the exhibit and other museum happenings, visit frauncestavernmuseum.org.