Washington Irving's Birthday Tour

Born on April 3, 1783, Washington Irving is arguably the most important figure in American literature.  He was the first internationally known American writer and his collected works have withstood the test of time.  After visiting the area as a boy, Irving later used it as the setting for some of his most famous short stories, including The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.  When he decided to purchase a permanent home in 1835, he looked no further than Tarrytown.  He bought a small 24-acre estate overlooking the Hudson that once belonged to the Van Tassel family.  After settling into his new home, that he named Sunnyside, Irving quickly became part of the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow community.  He participated in neighborhood events, joined several local organizations, and became a founder (and vestryman) of Christ Episcopal Church in 1837.  Irving supported many charities, was a founding depositor in the first local savings bank, and a served on the founding committee of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.  Although Irving died in 1859, his spirit lives on through his writings and the local sites that he loved so much.  Join the Historical Society on a downtown walking tour where we celebrate Washington Irving's life and hear some stories not often told about our own “Uncle Washington” on the eve of his 234^th birthday!