Old Dutch Church Cemeteries - Sleepy Hollow, New York

Address:540 North Broadway
Sleepy Hollow, New York
Tel: (914) 631-1123

Two old cemeteries are associated with the Old Dutch Church, one is old and one is practically ancient. The practically ancient one was used by the land's Dutch inhabitants in the 17th century, and the legend went that a headless Hessian horseman haunted the premises. Sound familiar? It was actually the premise of Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Some people search for inspiration with music and atmosphere; Irving went to the Dutch burial grounds and copied names etched into the gravestones, using them as characters in his story. The other cemetery in the immediate area, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, is the actual burial place of Washington Irving, as well as that of industrial titans like William Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie. The church associated with these two cemeteries is the Old Dutch Church. Founded in 1685, this is reputed to be the oldest church in New York State in continuous use. It's open for tours by appointment only. The cemeteries and the church are located at the corner of Broadway and Pierson Street.