Local Haunted Sites Spooky Halloween Part One

Since Halloween is coming in nearly a month I've been working on some "spooky" posts to get everyone in the Halloween mood!

I know I've mentioned previously on the blog that I live very near to Sleepy Hollow. But what I haven't mentioned is that this area which includes Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, and Ossining are considered by ghost hunters and paranormal experts from all over the world to be one of the most haunted areas in the world. Yep. The world. The landscape is quite beautiful with much still wild and untouched, which turns a little spooky in autumn and downright sinister in winter. Its in autumn when you begin to really feel that the area may indeed be haunted.

Of course a good deal of the hauntings take place in Sleepy Hollow, where the author Washington Irving had his tale take place. He lived in Sunnyside, a beautiful home on the Hudson which you can actually see if traveling by train on the Metro North Hudson Line. Sunnyside itself is believed to be haunted by quite a few, including Washington Irving himself.

Suunyside, home of Washinton Irving

Washington Irving

The Old Dutch church cemetery does really exist a little further north from Sunnyside in Sleepy Hollow. Again, pretty active with ghosts, including Samuel Youngs who was the model Washington Irving used for Icabod Crane. As an extra aside, in the TV series "Dark Shadows" Barnabas Collins emerges from one of the crypts in the cemetery, and Lyndhurst Mansion (also quite haunted) was Collingswood Mansion in both of the Dark Shadows films in 70 & 71.

The Old Dutch Church

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Lyndhurst Mansion

Did you know the infamous pirate Captain Kidd is buried somewhere most likely in Tarrytown (its unknown where exactly but this is where he and his crew were hung), and his ghost is usually pretty active too. As are his crew. It is also believed that some of Captain Kidd's buried treasure is in the area, but guarded by the ghosts of his crew. (Hmm wonder if I can find a way to keep those ghosts busy while I steal the treasure?)

Captain Kidd

I've decided to break this post up into two, possibly three parts. There is a very interesting story of a local legend that many may find to be a spooky story, and perhaps I'll write a little more about halloween history. I don't want to bore you with too much to take in at once! So end of Part One!

XXX

Jet

Local Colour and a Spooky Benefit

As I mentioned previously, we have a lovely old theatre nearby, The Tarrytown Music Hall. On the 23 September they are screening the original "House of Dark Shadows", the film that was made after the popularity of the show.





As kids we rushed home to watch, usually scared out of our wits but loving every episode. The proceeds will go to the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Historic Fund. It's a quick jaunt out of the city, and the film is currently being remade with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp (did you think anyone else would be chosen for the role?) who also did "Sleepy Hollow". Hmm... Perhaps that's one of the reasons we chose to live here, the landscape is quite haunting in autumn and winter and appeals to my spookier side!

A little known fact is that Lyndhurst was used for the exterior shots for Collingwood mansion for the show, and the receiving vault at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery was used as Barnabas Collins' crypt in both the show and the film. Who knew I grew up just 10 miles or so from my fav show! Or that we'd settle just up the road now!

Tickets are available at the box office here I hope to see you there!

Don't forget all the spooky events going on during the month of October in honour of Washington Irving's classic "Sleepy Hollow", theres fun to be had for the whole family!

XXX