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The Haunted Side of the HudsonBy Kelsey Dubinsky

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Located along both sides of the Hudson River lies 13 towns that are considered to be a part of the ‘Historic Hudson River Towns’. On the East side of the river, are three small towns that I was able to visit on the weekend of October 12, 2012. The towns of Ossining, ,Tarrytown, and Sleepy Hollow, all part of New York, hold very strong historical pasts. Ossining, New York is often recogonized for being the home of the Sing Sing prison. Sing Sing was the third prison built by New York State. Tarrytown, New York not only offers the history of Washington Irving, but also fine dining, shopping and a bit of nature. Sleepy Hollow, New York, which is the most reconginzable town out of the three, is the setting for “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” written by Irving.

“There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and delights and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations.” -

Washington Irving

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Ossining, New York When visiting Ossining, New York, the main ‘attraction’ of the town is Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Located right along the Hudson River, Sing Sing was opened in 1826, and still is a full functioning prison, that holds a deep history. Sing Sing is often known for it’s past, where it held many harsh torturing acts to it’s prisoners, such as the electric chair. The notorious bank robber, Willie Sutton, and infamous Communist spies Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are few among many famous inmates that served time at Sing Sing. The prison no longer uses strong punishment, and now focuses on educating inmates. When visiting the prison, you will notice a very strong security system. As you walk towards the prison, you will see a giant concrete wall, that does not allow anyone to see in or out, other than the guards that sit high above the rest, in watch towers. For those that are interested in seeing the historic displays of the prison, there is a musuem at the Ossining Vistors Center.

(Above)- The Sing Sing Correctional Facility lies along side the Hudson River in Ossining, New York. Not much can be seen from the inside or outside, due to a large security wall, leaving a very eerie feeling to the town. (Below)- Displays of the historic torturing devices, and crammed prison cells can be viewed at the museum in the Visitor’s Center.

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Tarrytown, New York The hometown of Washington Irving, and the Lyndhurst Mansion, Tarrytown, New York is quite the tranquil town. The main street of the town has much to offer, such as the infamous Music Hall, great dining, and plenty of small-town stores. Take a walk and you will see everything from a jewelry store with products from all across the world, to a small family owned Portuguese restaurant. One of the most historic and beautiful architectures of the area lies alongside the Hudson in Tarrytown. The Lyndhurst Mansion, which can be considered one of the best examples of the American Gothic Revival, is located just off route 9. The Lyndhurst Mansion is home to some of the best views of the Hudson, and amazing gardens. During the fall season, the mansion transforms into a spooky land for the thrill seakers. The mansion offers a scarecrow invasion, and a haunted attraction, ‘After Dark’. Visitors can tour the historic building, with a Halloween twist. The tour offers the typical historic lessons, while leaving the guest in fright.

(Left)- The annual scarecrow invasion takes place every year in the Lyndhurst Mansion’s fields. Organizations and schools can sign up to decorate scarecrows to be displayed.

(Feature Photo Right)- The Lyndhurst Mansion, located in Tarrytown, New York, was one of the first American Gothic Revival mansions, built in 1838.

(Above)- The framework is nearly the only thing left standing from the historic greenhouse at Lyndhurst Mansion.

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Fall Festival of Tarrytown

(Photos Above)- Many families came together at the Fall Festival in Tarrytown on October 13,2012 and enjoyed festivities such as scarecrow making.(Feature Photo Left)- A young girl who recently moved to Tarrytown only a year ago, enjoys the fresh fruits at the Fall Festival.

The small town of Tarrytown, New York, offers a lot of time for community and family bonding. Every weekend the town offers festivals, and live music for the community members to come together and enjoy themselves. The town holds an annual fall festival at the Patriots Park by the river side each year. On October 13,2012 the town continued it’s tradition on a beautiful fall day. Leaving the park loaded with families, pets, fresh foods and crafts, the town’s fall festival lived up to its reputation. Many families joined together to craft scarecrows with their children. There was everything from face painting, to a farmers market. Live singers graced the visitors of the festival with warming music. On the other side of the park, was a unique type of performance. Local Capoeira performers showed off their moves, as members of their group played live music on drums, tambourines and other percussion instruments. Capoeira is a combination of dancing, and martial arts moves. Classes for the art form are offered along the main street of Tarrytown. There was no need to worry if families were short for money this fall; most of the activities at the event were free. Many families brought along their pets, and just enjoyed good weather in the park with the rest of their community.

(Above)- A local group of Capoeira performers show off their moves at the festival.

(Above)- Children were a dominant part of the crowd at the festival enjoying crafts, and fresh food

(Above)- The fresh pickle stand was by far the most popular of the foods at the festival.

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Sleepy Hollow, New York

(Above)- The gravestone of Washington Irving is a feature stop during one of the tours of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

One visit to Sleepy Hollow and you will find yourself essentially in the center of Irving’s famous work of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” From the cemetery, to the Old Dutch Church, the town lives out the legend. The town holds the historic site of the Phillipsburg Manor, built in the 1750’s. The site was once home to a thriving industry of farming, milling and trading. The manor has now been transformed into a place that visitors can tour and watch interpreters as they teach the history. In the fall, the town of Sleepy Hollow lives up to their spooky name and reputation, with numerous haunted attractions and tours of the cemetery at night lit only by kerosene lanterns. Halloween decorations are hung at every corner, and the locals are proud of the holiday. The Phillipsburg Manor holds a haunted attraction on it’s land called the ‘Horseman’s Hollow’. Visitors take a walk through the Manor’s grounds where vampires, witches and perhaps even the headless horseman lurk through the woods. The attraction is only for the daring. (Left)- The receiving house in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, is lit by lantern light during on the lantern tours at night.

(Feature Photo Right)- An actor portrays the famous legend of the ‘Headless Horseman’ during a haunted attraction in Sleepy Hollow for Halloween.

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