Legend Weekend: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Westchester County is the ultimate Halloween community.  After all, we have Sleepy Hollow! When people think of Sleepy Hollow, their thoughts usually turn  to Washington Irving’s famous tale – The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.  The story of Ichabod Crane being pursued relentlessly by a headless horseman has been a Halloween favorite since its publication nearly 200 years ago.

In that spirit, Historic Hudson Valley hosts Legend Weekend with both day and evening events at Philipsburg Manor in  Sleepy Hollow.  The Manor is a remarkable restoration that takes you back in time to about 1750, when  the Manor was a farming, milling and trading center.  Visitors are shown what life was like as they explore the grounds.  The grounds border the location of the “Headless Horseman Bridge” where Ichabod Crane supposedly disappeared forever.

During October, particularly just before  Halloween – all the stops are pulled and there are both day and evening tours of the Manor. The paths are illuminated by candle and special lighting effects create a spooky display.  Various bodies hanging from rafters appear through the windows.  It is all topped off by a recitation of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow while ghostly apparitions “haunt” the pathway.  This is a great event for kids and adults alike.

For more information about Historic Hudson Valley tours which include Kykuit (the Rockefeller’s home) Sunnyside, Philipsburg Manor, Van Cortlandt Manor, Lyndhurst and Union Church with its Chagall and Matisse  windows, click on the link provided above.

Philipsburg Manor by day