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 234th birthday!
All tours start at Patriots Park. Please meet near the Captors Monument at the entrance on the east side of the park, adjacent to Broadway (Route 9). A minimum of four (4) people is required to run a tour.
Refunds and exchanges: All sales are final. No exchanges or refunds unless tour/event is canceled. Tours require a minimum of 4 guests or they will be cancelled. Our tours leave promptly at the start time, if you arrive after the start time and the tour has left the park, no refunds will be given. You must check in at least 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.
Weather: The walking tours generally run rain or shine. Please dress for the weather. If we cancel a tour due to severe weather such as high winds, lightning, or heavy rain, we will promptly refund your full purchase price.
Additional Information: Some people may find the pace of our two-hour walking tours challenging. We cover more than a mile on foot including hills. Please consider your own abilities when signing up for a tour. Tips for the tour guides are not expected, but if you’ve enjoyed your tour they are greatly appreciated.
