Around this time of year, when
Jack-o-lanterns glow, candy flows freely and costumes are of the most
atrocious, a strange attitude towards superstition arises. Even the staunchest
of skeptics look over their shoulders in the dark, and watch for witches across
the full moon. Autumn, and October in particular, sends chills up all mortals’
spines. Maybe it’s the brisk air, maybe it’s the crunchy leaves, or possibly,
it’s the ghouls of yesteryear.
One such destination familiar to the
occupants of the Hudson Valley is the village of Sleepy Hollow. Founded in 1645,
the village of Sleepy Hollow (in Terrytown) has been immortalized
in the short story by Washington Irving. It tells of a finicky schoolteacher,
Ichabod Crane, on his ill-fated attempts to win the love of Katrina Van Tassel.
The town, as peaceful as it is, comes a sneaking sense of the supernatural. After
a series of events, Ichabod wonders through the dark past a haunted tree, and
stumbles upon a headless specter. The rest is history, so they say, and every
Halloween the village puts on a myriad of shows, stories and events in honor of
old Ichabod.
A trip to
the Old Dutch Church will open your eyes to centuries of history. The church
and surrounding cemetery were formally opened in 1849 and continue to house
worshipers and the deceased. The cemetery is 85 acres and has over 40,000
in-ground graves. Irving is one of those laid eternally to rest here, as well
as Andrew Carnegie, Walter Chrysler and Vincent Astor amongst others.
Photos are
to follow soon, but for now, dear followers, if you hear a sound behind you or
feel a stare from beyond, walk quickly towards friends and family; you never
know what could be sneaking up to scare you!
Events for Halloween and before detailed here!
Read the whole original story by Washington Irving here!
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