Washington Irving’s Home in Sleepy Hollow, NY

A Hidden Gem.

On the bank of the glistening Hudson River, in a somnolent town now known as Sleepy Hollow, lies the former home of one of America’s first “celebrities” and the Adam of all American literature. His name was Washington Irving. Sleepy Hollow lies about an hour past New York City. The city is a mecca filled with wide eyed tourists and cynical locals who insist there’s nothing worth seeing outside of the city. But, as Irving himself has said, one of the greatest and simplest tools for learning more and growing is doing more.”

Who was Washington Irving?

Known affectionately as the “founding father” of American literature, Washington Irving was a superstar in his day, which was in the mid-1800s. Washington Irvington was born the year that the American Revolution ended, and was in fact named after the illustrious leader, George Washington. His family even brought him to attend Washington’s inauguration as a child. Irving was one of the first, if not THE first person to gain notoriety and fortune through fictional writing in the US.

Fifty minutes past New York City proper is a small place called Tarry-Town. During the height of the Yellow Fever Pandemic, the same one which caused Alexander Hamilton to move his family “uptown”, Irving was sent to live with family in Tarry Town to escape the disease in the city.  (Speaking of Hamilton, as I always do, Irving covered the treason trial of Aaron Burr, sir.) It is in Tarry Town that Irving gained inspiration for the setting of his famed novel, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow features one of the most ghoulish characters to grace the pages of Gothic Literature – The Headless Horseman. The tale looms large in the American imagination and has also been translated and adapted around the world.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has gained so much fame over the decades, that Tarry-Town has re-named an area of itself to Sleepy Hollow. It’s a haven for anyone who likes the story and Halloween. It’s definitely worth visiting in October when tourists flood the small town to take part in all of the varied and festive activities and events.

Sleepy Hollow – The Story.

As the tale goes, a lanky teacher, named Ichabod Crane with a big nose lived in Sleepy Hollow. I have no idea if he has a big nose, but I really think I’m right on this one. Anyway, he is poor because…teacher.

He falls in love with a wealthy woman in town, Katrina Van Tassel. Despite that being her real name, she’s sadly not a stripper who wears some interesting kind of pasties over her nips. HOWEVER, she was actually a real person. Her family were members of the Old Dutch Church which you can visit today; it dates back to the 1600s. Buried in the (INCREDIBLE) graveyard, you can visit her headstone. My father inadvertently used her tomb to hold his beer because he “needed a rest” which kind of tells you everything you need to know about us. In the same graveyard, residents frequently sell snacks and cider beer during the fall.

Anyway, Katrina invited Icha-Honk to a party at her family’s uber rich mansion. EXCEPT, there was this other dude who was really smitten with her, named Brom Bones. If his name wasn’t enough of a turn on, he’s a big jacked dude who eats children for lunch. That last part isn’t true. He tries to win her affection at the party and so does Ichabod. Brom Bones plays a joke on Ichabod that makes him look like a fool.

Discouraged and loveless, Ichabod leaves the party on the Van Tassel’s horse because he’s too poor to afford his own. Bones and Van Tassel probably sleep together. A massive, terrifying, imposing being who is riding a large black horse begins following Ichabod. Ichabod realizes that the being has A PUMPKIN FOR A HEAD! At first, he thinks it’s Brom playing another joke, but it’s totes not.

A chase ensues, and if you ever hear the story performed live, as we did, or read the short story – the prolonged scene of the chase truly is very frightening. Anyway, Ichabod knows that if he can cross the Sleepy Hollow Bridge, he will be safe once he gets to the Old Dutch Church, but the Headless Horseman is gaining on him! When the Horseman realizes he’s losing, he rips his pumpkin head off and throws it at Ichabod which I’m pretty sure is against the rules.

Spooked, the horse rides back to the Van Tassels. The family realizes Ichabod is nowhere to be found, and despite a town wide search, he is never seen again. ALTHOUGH, some claim that they have seen the old fellow who moved and started a new life.

Washington Irving’s House.

Note: Photography is not allowed inside, so I am relying on the use of stock photos. There are not many available on the internet, and even the official website. 

Washington Irving purchased his Sunny-side Estate in 1835. It’s a charming and idyllic home directly on the riverbank of the Hudson. Ivy sprawls over the tall residence, and there is plenty of room around the building to picnic or walk. By the way, Irving was so popular in his heyday that many families had postcards of paintings of his estate hanging in their homes as art.

Costumed guides in each room give a brief description about the events, activities, and interesting people of each space. Irving’s house is super cozy, especially on a cold rainy day, such as when we went.

The kitchen that Irving and his family would have eaten in. Our guide used the phrase, “women were goddesses of the kitchen” an uncomfortable number of times. Courtesy: Sunnyside EstateBeforehand or afterward, purchase a steaming hot, sweet, cider. Marvel at the brilliant orange and yellow leaves on the trees and ground, purchase a fall-themed treat, and imagine what life would be like, living in such an idyllic locale. But, beware. While in Sleepy Hollow, you never know when the Headless Horseman will show up!

I’m serious. Look up his Instagram. They have photos of the guy making lattes at coffee shops and shit. Dude gets around, for real.