Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
source
Name	Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Established	1849
Location	Sleepy Hollow, New York
Country	United States
Type	Rural cemetery
Owner	The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Size	90 acre
Website	https://sleepyhollowcemetery.org/

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is a renowned rural cemetery located in the village of Sleepy Hollow, New York. Consecrated in 1849, it is the final resting place for numerous prominent figures from American industry, literature, and politics. The cemetery is famously adjacent to the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow and its colonial-era burial ground, which inspired Washington Irving's classic tale, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". Its picturesque landscape of rolling hills, mature trees, and historic monuments attracts visitors for both historical reflection and scenic beauty.

History

The cemetery was incorporated in 1849 as "Tarrytown Cemetery" during the height of the American rural cemetery movement, which also gave rise to landmarks like Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. Its creation was influenced by the need for a new burial ground as the adjacent Old Dutch Burying Ground reached capacity. In 1871, the trustees voted to change the name to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery to honor the area's literary fame from Washington Irving's writings. The cemetery expanded over the decades, incorporating additional land and becoming the permanent home for many of the nation's industrial barons from the Gilded Age, particularly those associated with the Rockefeller family and the Astor family. Its development paralleled the growth of the Hudson River Valley as a center of American wealth and culture.

Notable burials

The cemetery serves as the final resting place for an extraordinary array of American luminaries. Literary figures include Washington Irving, author of "Rip Van Winkle", and William Rockefeller, a key figure in Standard Oil. Industrialists and philanthropists are heavily represented, such as Andrew Carnegie's business partner Henry Clay Frick, automobile pioneer Walter P. Chrysler, and merchant Alexander Turney Stewart. Other notable interments include cosmetics magnate Elizabeth Arden, railroad tycoon Jay Gould, and members of the Armour family of meatpacking fame. The cemetery also contains the graves of notable artists like Edward Hopper and Samuel F. B. Morse, inventor of the Morse code.

Geography and features

Encompassing approximately 90 acres, the cemetery is characterized by its undulating topography, winding paths, and panoramic views of the Hudson River. Its design follows the picturesque principles of the rural cemetery movement, featuring a diverse collection of mature trees, ornamental plantings, and serene water features. Distinct areas include the historic Old Dutch Burying Ground, the receiving vault, and numerous private family plots marked by elaborate mausoleums and monuments crafted from granite, marble, and bronze. Prominent architectural features include the Bryant Memorial and the War Memorial commemorating veterans of World War I and World War II. The landscape itself is a designated arboretum, with specimens including ancient oak trees and dogwood groves.

In popular culture

The cemetery's enduring fame is inextricably linked to Washington Irving's 1820 short story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", which centered on the adjacent church and burying ground. This connection has made it a perennial icon of American folklore, especially during the Halloween season. It has been featured and referenced in numerous film and television adaptations of Irving's tale, including Disney's animated version and the television series "Sleepy Hollow". The cemetery's atmospheric setting has also made it a filming location for other projects, contributing to its portrayal as an archetypal Gothic landscape in the American imagination, much like Poe Cottage in the Bronx.

Management and access

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is managed by a non-profit corporation, The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, overseen by a board of trustees. It remains an active burial ground, with plots available for purchase. The cemetery offers a range of public services, including guided historical tours that highlight the graves of famous residents, architectural highlights, and horticultural features. Special events, such as autumn lantern tours and educational programs, are regularly held. It is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk, with the administrative office located near the main entrance on North Broadway. The site is easily accessible from the Metro-North Railroad's Hudson Line and is adjacent to landmarks like Kykuit and Lyndhurst.

Category:Cemeteries in New York (state) Category:1849 establishments in New York (state) Category:Sleepy Hollow, New York Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in New York (state)