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Click
to enlarge photo of Sunnyside, Washington Irving's Riverside Home in Tarrytown.
Visit Sunnyside in Tarrytown, New York
Washington Irving, considered by many to be the first "International Writer" lived the last 25 years of his life at Sunnyside, his home set along the Hudson River, in Tarrytown, New York. Washington Irving’s meticulously restored home is filled with the author’s possessions including his writing desk and books. Originally a Dutch farmer’s house, this property is now managed by the non-profit Historic Hudson Valley and is open for tours.
About Washington Irving
Washington Irving's first book, Salmagundi (1807–08), was a collaboration with his brother William and a mutual friend James Paulding. This highly popular collection of short pieces poked fun at the political, social, and cultural life of the city. However, he is best known for his short stories including "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow".
Irving is best known for his fictional works, including a collection of 34 essays and short stories written during his stay in England. This work became known as
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent
and included the short stories "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". Irving also wrote several biographies, including a five-volume biography of George Washington, in addition to many historical writings. After leaving England, Irving spent the last 25 years of his life at his estate 'Sunnyside', set along the shores of the Hudson River in Tarrytown, New York, where he died on November 28, 1859.
Things To Do at Sunnyside
- Gift Shop
- Historical games and activities for kids.
- Learn about the life of Washington Irving while touring his Sunnyside home.
- Picnic on the grounds of Sunnyside.
- Tour Irving's Sunnyside home with interpreters in mid-19th century dress.
- Walk the beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds overlooking the Hudson River.
Historic Sites in Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown
Visit
Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate in Sleepy Hollow.
Visit
Lyndhurst in Tarrytown.
Visit the
Old Dutch Church at Sleepy Hollow.
Visit
Patriots Park in Tarrytown.
Visit the
Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse.
Children's Attractions in Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown
Enjoy Family Fun Day at
Lyndhurst Historic Site in Tarrytown.
Learn about a spy in the
American Revolution - John André.
Visit
Patriots Park in Tarrytown.
Visit Historic
Philipsburg Manor Historic Site for kids.
Visit Historic Sunnyside,
Washington Irving's home in Tarrytown, offering games and activities for kids.
Visit
Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse. Learn how a family lived and protected ships on the Hudson River.
Celebrate
Halloween in Sleepy Hollow.
Celebrate
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Spooky fun things to do on Halloween include a
Tour the Old Dutch Church & Burying Ground
Visit the Old Dutch Church & Burying Ground and find places mentioned in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow where "The dominant spirit, however, that haunts this enchanted region, and seems to be commander-in-chief of all the powers of the air, is the apparition of a figure on horseback, without a head. It is said by some to be the ghost of a Hessian trooper, whose head had been carried away by a cannon-ball, in some nameless battle during the Revolutionary War, and who is ever and anon seen by the country folk hurrying along in the gloom of night, as if on the wings of the wind. His haunts are not confined to the valley, but extend at times to the adjacent roads, and especially to the vicinity of a church at no great distance. Indeed, certain of the most authentic historians of those parts, who have been careful in collecting and collating the floating facts concerning this spectre, allege that the body of the trooper having been buried in the churchyard, the ghost rides forth to the scene of battle in nightly quest of his head, and that the rushing speed with which he sometimes passes along the Hollow, like a midnight blast, is owing to his being belated, and in a hurry to get back to the churchyard before daybreak."
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"
by Washington Irving
Location: Tarrytown
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