French Church and Burying Ground

New Paltz, NY – Every town has its share of dark history, but most seem like fairy tales in comparison to the mysterious stories and accounts that have been passed down over hundreds of years that highlight the haunting and at times horrific history that overshadows the oldest inhabited street in the United States. Huguenot Street appears to be a quaint and cheerful by day, but when the sun goes down the atmosphere is chilling. Huguenot Street has a dark side. Tales of murder and mayhem haunt this historical haven. From tales of axe yielding ghosts to one of the most grisly murders of the 18th century this quaint street nestled in New Paltz is a treasure trove of legends and twisted tales.

Picture yourself living in the 1800s. You are isolated – no one around for miles, It’s going to be a long cold winter. You huddle together with your family in a small stone cottage heated only by the roaring fire in the hearth. Sounds echo through the night. Your mind starts to wonder. Wait…what’s that rumbling outside the door? Is it the werewolves that roam the banks of the Wallkill River? While the superstitious may have believed in these mystical creatures, there was more to fear than these figments of an overactive imagination. While some feared night creatures, one awaits the arrival of his passage to the other side.

The Death Coach

This ghostly tale of Huguenot Street is one of unearthly travel. On a dark night an old woman sits vigil at her husband’s side waiting for the town doctor. As he lay dying in his bed, the woman’s sickly husband impatiently asks his concerned wife ,“Is it here yet? …Is it here yet?” Finally there is a sound of the clip clop of horse’s hooves outside. The woman feels a sense of relief in the hopes that her husband’s pain will be eased.

The woman looks out the window and to her amazement she sees a black coach with no windows, no horses, and no rider. She overcomes her fear and then realizes what her husband was asking. He was awaiting the arrival of his “death coach”. She went to her husband squeezed his hand and at that moment he was gone. She then watched his spirit move toward the door. The woman ran to the window to watch her husband board the carriage. He turned to his beloved wife, waived goodbye and  boarded the carriage. The death coach clip-clopped down the road to continue its final journey.

While this story is indeed bittersweet, Huguenot Street has seen darker days. Let’s just say that if you thought Lizzy Borden had an axe to grind, it was the weapon of choice in this sinister town.

If you live in the Hudson Valley, you have probably heard the tale of the man with the long dark coat who carries an axe and also has a large black dog who is often seen in the Abraham Hasbrouck house looming over sleeping victims. While there have been many reported sightings of this man, there has never been any trace of evidence that his presence exists, however the following story of this axe man is clearly not one of fiction.

About forty years ago a  SUNY New Paltz student was arrested for breaking into an apple orchard.  The action was deemed as a harmless offense and he was released. The young man then returned to campus and was found trying to strangle a female student. Her screaming was alarming and his act of violence was interrupted. He escaped the campus and ran into the barn of a man named Mr. Grimm. Mr. Grimm came to assist in the assailant’s capture, but the assailant lunged at Mr. Grimm with an axe and hacked him to death.

The assailant was admitted to the Asylum for the Criminally Insane, which was also known as Mattawan State Hospital and after being bounced around hospitals, this son of an international diplomat was finally deported.

A sad, but true story about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This was a tragic incident that made the news, but some stories are meant to be kept a secret; like hiding a body in a basement.

Bones in the Basement

Basements are generally a harmless place in today’s world; however historically they were known as slave quarters. You may have heard of the famous slavery abolitionist Sojourner Truth who at times led a life of servitude in and around New Paltz and Ulster County. Knowing that now, what would you think if someone told  a story about a bones in your basement? Hudson Valley author and Woodstock historian Alf Evers would have such a story to share.

Alf lived in the Abraham Hasbrouck house with his mother and father. He was the son of a Clairvoyant mother who was insistent that there was the body of a child buried in the basement of their home. After much prodding, Alf and his father started digging and made a gruesome discovery. They actually found bones of a child in the basement. They unearthed their findings and lay them out on a table. The doctor declared the remains as that of a child. The child’s identity would never be known because the odd thing is that after the remains were placed on the table they disintegrated shortly after. Where these the remains of an illegitimate slave child? We will never know. It will forever be a mystery. Speaking of mysteries ,  this next  story of an unexplained murder put New Paltz on the map!

Horrid Murder and Suicide

“Horrid Murder and Suicide”, that’s what the news sheets said. This story made history and if you query the Library of Congress and search for New Paltz this is the one of the first stories that you will find.

Maria Terwilliger Deyo lived on Springtown Road in New Paltz in 1801. She was an upstanding and religious woman who cared for her husband and family and on this particular morning she snapped. She sent her husband and one son out to the corn field and she tended to the remaining children; a son, daughter and an 9 month-old infant. She sent one son outside to play warning him not to go far as she would be calling him soon. Maria combed her daughter’s hair and then led her to a darkened room and slit her throat from side to side with a razor as she begged her mother not to hurt her. Maria then called her son in and when he realized what was happening he ran. Maria caught him outside and finished him off with the razor. She returned to the house took and took the life of her infant daughter and then killed herself.

Maria’s husband returned home to witness this bloody nightmare that would make national news. The community was in shock.  We will never know what possessed Maria to wipe out her entire family. Maybe it was the hardship of living in small home with a large family. Maria will take that secret with her to the grave.

Have you heard enough stories of murder and mayhem? Do you think that Huguenot Street is haunted?  It wouldn’t surprise me if spirits of the past linger on this historic Hudson Valley street.

It’s Your Turn to Relive the Past

I have not shared all the legendary history of Huguenot Street. You can experience these and more mysterious tales each year when Huguenot Street turns dark in the month of October. Test your senses as you immerse yourself in the dark side of Haunted Huguenot Street. The air is crisp and the brilliant colored leaves crunch and swish beneath your feet as you wonder from house to house following an endless path of luminaries that cast false shadows into the night. Your guide will lead you to the location of the next twisted tale where ghosts of the past relive their tales of despair.

How to Visit

Of course you can visit Historic Huguenot Street anytime of the year, but if you want to hear about the dark side, visit  Haunted Huguenot Street in October.

Garrison, NY – The Bird and Bottle Inn has a romantic and colorful history. It began in 1761 when John Warren opened Warren’s Tavern, a popular stage coach stop along Albany Post Road, which was the direct route between New York City and Albany. Warren’s Tavern was a welcoming stop for weary travelers looking to refuel with some rest, food, and a tankard of ale. The tavern had seen many transformations over the years from tavern to farm and grist mill to a fully restored get away from all of life’s challenges.

For as long as I can remember, I have heard people say that the Bird and Bottle Inn in Garrison was haunted. Of course, it peaked my interest. If you have been following my writings for the past couple years, then you know that I am very fond of a ghost story with a rich history behind it. It is believed that the spirit of Emily Warren Roebling remains at the inn overseeing her family home. Her presence is strongly felt by employees and patrons of this unique establishment. I have been to many legendary haunted places in the Hudson Valley and I have to say that the Bird and Bottle Inn, is one of the most pleasant and charming locations I have had the pleasure of visiting. From the creaking of the wooden floors and staircases to the cozy decor of it’s rooms, there is a warmth about the inn that is very comforting and appealing. I am not surprised that the female spirit who reportedly haunts the homestead is equally as endearing.

Emily Warren Roebling was a woman of strength, beauty and intelligence beyond her time. She came from a good family and was well-known in the village of Cold Spring. She is famous for her contributions to her husband’s life work. That body of work is the Brooklyn Bridge, one of the seven wonders of the industrial world, and this is Emily’s story.¹

Emily Warren Roebling the Woman

Let’s step back in time to the late 1800s. It is a period of war and romance. Life in Cold Spring revolves the great Hudson River where steamboats travel carrying passengers to and from the big city and the war activities of the period are ever present. The West Point Foundry is the center of local industry producing arms for the war and is now famous for producing the Parrot rifle, a popular piece of weaponry in high demand. In the center of all of this activity is the story of a strong woman who’s deep love for her husband would cast her into a unique role of for a woman of this period.

The Warren’s were a prominent family in Cold Spring. Not in wealth, but in stature. Emily was the youngest of twelve children and she admired her older brother, Kemble Warren, who was a decorated general in the Civil War and fought in Gettysburg. It was through her brother that she met the love of her life Washington A. Roebling, then a soldier in the Civil War, an engineer and the love of her life. Emily was a beautiful woman and Washington a handsome man. The couple immediately became enamored with each other and married a short time later in a little brick church on Main Street. Life was good for Emily, but soon it would become complicated.

Washington’s father John was the original designer of the Brooklyn Bridge and upon his passing Washington was made chief engineer. This was an exiting challenge for Washington. He was just as committed as his father, but the work conditions were not favorable to bridge workers. Being actively involved in the construction process, he would later suffer from Caisson disease (the bends) at the age of 35. Caisson disease was common among bridge workers due to the extreme pressure they had to endure while working in on the foundation of the bridge within these specially controlled chambers and then reentering the decompressed environment much like divers do. This disease rendered Washington an invalid, but Emily would ensure that his work could continue on.

During her husband’s incapacitation she handled all the correspondence and face to face meetings and protected her husband from the public. Conducting engineering business in this fashion was unheard of at the time. Clearly this was not a woman’s place, but Emily wasn’t just any woman. She was smart and quickly learned the business alongside her husband. At times, the Roeblings would be the subjects of idol gossip. People could be heard saying that the Brooklyn Bridge was being built by a woman. How could that be? Washington would watch and supervise the construction of the bridge from the window of their city home. This would not be without repercussions. Working through political and financial issues, the bridge would soon be celebrated by all. On May 24, 1883, Emily Warren Roebling became the first woman to cross the Brooklyn Bridge on opening day while Washington watched from his window overlooking the city.

After caring for her husband and supporting his good work, it was time for Emily to make her way in the world. She aided many groups during her lifetime. She supported Daughters of the American Revolution and later received a law degree from NYU in 1899. She passed away in 1903 at age 59 from stomach cancer. Washington later took a second spouse. She and Washington now rest together in her hometown in the Cold Spring Cemetery.

I would like to believe that Emily rests peacefully, however it appears that she likes to occasionally pay a visit to the inn during the spring and summer seasons.

The Spirit of Emily

Emily has always made a great impression on the people of Cold Spring and her spirit lives on there. In 1969, Larry Evans, the director of the Bird and Bottle Inn explained that one of the upstairs rooms was to be known as the Emily Warren room and noted that Emily visited her grandparents there often. The Putnam County Historical Society displayed some of her personal belongings at the Foundry School Museum as a tribute to her importance to the village.

Today the inn is owned by Elaine Margolies. She is a charming woman and gracious hostess who has great respect and pride for the inn’s history. Emily has become part of her family. Guests and employees have sensed the presence of a woman in the inn. Some guests have even taken unique photos that could explain the unexplained. Elaine shared the most amazing photo (see image 7 in the photo gallery) taken in the dining room . I saw it as a ghostly image of a woman in old-fashion clothing. I have to believe it is Emily returning to her family home. There have also been reportings of a woman humming in the hall. Emily seems to be a little particular about how her room is arranged. At times the curtains and the chair in her room will be arranged as if someone wanted to peer out the window to enjoy the lovely view.

Visiting the Bird and Bottle Inn

Step back in time and partake in a fine meal, enjoy a cocktail, and soak up the local history of this 18th century inn. If you are looking for a ghostly adventure, ask to stay in the Emily Warren room, which is a very bright and pleasant room. I am sure it’s just the way Emily would want it. If you are lucky, maybe she’ll sing you to sleep.

Photo Gallery

More Information

A special thank you to the Putnam County Historical Society for taking the time to help me research the Bird and Bottle Inn.

The Bird and Bottle Inn Information

Putnam County Historical Society

Cold Spring Cemetery

West Point Foundry

Footnotes:

1. Cadbury, Deborah. “Seven Wonders of the Industrial World.” 2/17/2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/victorians/seven_wonders_01.shtml (accessed April 13, 2011).

Sources:

McCullough, David, (1983), The Great Bridge. New York: Simon & Schuster.

This article is protected by copyright law. Do not reproduce without permission from the author.

The engine "Nashville" carried the President's body home/Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Lincoln’s Fate
Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, became involved in spiritualism when she became grief stricken at the loss of their son Willie who had died in the White House. She held séances in an effort to try and communicate with her dead son. While Lincoln attended the events, he was not a strong believer but was not a stranger to the unexplained. Lincoln once had had a strange experience of seeing a double image of himself in a mirror. He found this so disturbing that he discussed it with his wife. Mary felt that it was an omen that he would be elected for a second term but would not see it through. On another occasion President Lincoln had dreamt that he was in the lower levels of the White House witnessing a funeral. When he asked what happened, he was told that the President was assassinated. Weeks later Lincoln would be dead and a country would be grief-stricken.

April 15, 1865, was a dark day as a nation mourned the loss of a President.  The Civil War had ended, and Abraham Lincoln was a man held in mixed regard more notably due to his actions involving a war against the South and his position on civil rights.  Lincoln died tragically by the hand of an assassin, and in the upcoming days, Lincoln would be immortalized with an elaborate 1,700 mile funeral procession that would stem from Washington, D.C. to his home in Springfield, Illinois.

President Abraham Lincoln's railroad funeral car/ S.M. Fassett, photographer, Chicago.

The Funeral Train
The Lincoln funeral processional would make its way from Washington, D.C.  to Springfield by locomotive. Lincoln’s body, along with the exhumed body of this son Willie, was loaded aboard the funeral train.

“The funeral train consisted of nine cars, including baggage and hearse cars. Eight of the cars were provided by the chief railways over which the remains were transported. The ninth was the President’s car, which had been built for use by the President and other officials, containing a parlor, sitting room, and sleeping compartment. This car was draped in mourning and contained the coffins of Lincoln and his son.”  (Funeral and Burial of Abraham Lincoln, 2010).

Between Albany and New York City, crowds grew among the small towns along the route to watch the funeral train pass.  The train passed through every town traveling north along the Hudson River—Yonkers, Tarrytown, Sing Sing, and making the one and only stop in Poughkeepsie, on April 25th, before heading to Albany. While stopped in Poughkeepsie, college President Matthew Vassar boarded the train to place a cluster of handpicked magnolias aboard the car in a poignant moment to honor the fallen President.

Lincoln’s and his son’s remains traveled though 444 communities until the train came to its final destination where the two were interred at the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Illinois. This mournful and solemn trip took a toll on the family and the country in what was the grandest funeral procession ever held for a President. However, the story does not end here. “Rest in peace” is not a suitable phrase to be used for President Lincoln.  Following a plot to steal his body and hold it for ransom among other various issues with security and tomb reconstruction, Lincoln’s body was moved 17 times.  How then is it possible that his spirit would rest? In the years following, reported sightings of a phantom Lincoln Funeral Train were reported by railroad workers along the route from Washington, D.C. to Springfield, IL.

Tales along the Rails
There are varying accounts of spectral train sightings of the old Union silently traveling in the night. Those who have seen the vision report that they have seen a train car draped in black, housing a casket surrounded by mourners, guarded with skeletal remains dressed in blue uniforms. The smoke stacks billow and bells clang but not of this time and place.  A popular version of this story is one that has been retold many times stemming from a quote in the Albany Evening Times. This version is taken from The Pittsburgh Press (1978)

“The train always appeared in Albany on April 27th, the anniversary of its first passing. Track walkers and section hands would sit along the railroad tracks in the early evening of the fateful day and wait for the ghost train to come into view. At midnight—always at midnight—the engine would emerge from the darkness, moving silently down the track with black crepe flowing from its sides and emitting faintly audible sounds of funeral music.

The phantom train would glide over a black carpet that appeared to cover the tracks, while spectral solders in blue uniforms, of the Union army trotted along side it. As the apparition moved down the tracks, it would fade from view over some phantom horizon”

Over time the sightings decreased until the Lincoln ghost train was no longer seen, but the story still piques the curiosity of historical and locomotive enthusiasts alike.

The Legend Lives On
This legend of the Lincoln ghost train really stems from of the senseless murder of a man who envisioned his death, a country in grave mourning, and a send off of historic proportion that would carry the body of a President over 1,700 miles by rail and still be in a state of unrest. What a magnificently morbid setting for a ghost story. I suspect that on April 25th, the curious will head to the tracks in Poughkeepsie to see if they can get a glimpse of the ghostly figures standing guard, surrounding the black coffin being transported by the spectral Union.  Wondering what happened to the Lincoln funeral car? Unfortunately this piece of history was lost on March 20, 1911; it burned in a prairie fire in Illinois—yet another tragic loss.

Sources:

McNamara, Robert, (n.d.). Abraham Lincoln Saw a Spooky Vision of Himself in a Mirror

Spraggett, Alan. (1978, January  22).  Ghost Train. The Pittsburgh Press

The Funeral Train of Abraham Lincoln

The Route of Abraham Lincoln’s Funeral Train

Funeral and burial of Abraham Lincoln. (2010, March 28). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16:18, April 18, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Funeral_and_burial_of_Abraham_Lincoln&oldid=352562911

Hartsdale, NY – When someone says the words “pet cemetery,” does Stephen King come to mind? Do you envision dead things rising from the earth and reclaiming their undead form? It used to be that way for us too until we discovered that we had a historically acclaimed pet cemetery right here in the Hudson Valley. The oldest pet cemetery in America was started right in Hartsdale in Westchester County known as the Hartsdale Canine Cemetery. This amazing cemetery is the final resting place of beloved pets whose humans wanted the very best for them in death just as in life. In a world where pets have become valued family members, or for some the equivalent of children in little fur coats, it is not surprising that this unique cemetery now houses nearly 70,000 internments thanks to a kind man who saw the value in helping a a distraught woman prepare for a proper burial  for her adored companion.

Peaceable Kingdom - Click to Enlarge

In 1896, veterinarian Samuel Johnson, gave solace to a woman who was suffering the through the painful loss of her dog. The woman wanted to give her darling pet a proper send off. Traditionally pets were disposed of as refuse in that time. If you lived in the city, it was challenging to bury an animal within the city limits leading to a logistical and legal nightmare due to health regulations and lack of space. After giving the issue some thought, Dr. Johnson agreed to allow the woman to bury her dog on a piece of land located on his apple orchard in Hartsdale. This made the woman very happy. According to the Hartsdale Canine Cemetery, there are no records of this burial, probably lost to time, but they are certain that the remains reside in the Peaceable Kingdom. The Peaceable Kingdom is a famous painting by Edward Hicks (1780-1849) that depicts the relationship among man and animal. While this image can evoke many translations, the comparison to this work of art speaks to the idea that there are many types of animals resting in the Hartsdale Canine Cemetery from snakes and goldfish to guinea pigs and lion all harmoniously resting together at the hand of their human companions. When work of  this act of kindness made the news, Dr. Johnson’s orchard organically grew to become the final resting place for many loyal pets.

Grumpy - Click to Enlarge

We roamed the pet cemetery for hours and you can’t help but be visibly moved by the love and sentiment that is poured into this five acres of property. One of the first memorials to capture my attention was the stones sculpture of a mean looking bulldog appropriately named GRUMPY. Obviously, someone really loved him regardless of this labeled disposition. Grumpy passed in 1896 and his epitaph reads, “His sympathetic love and understanding enriched our lives – He waits for us.” One of the most famous pet memorials on the site is the War Dog Memorial. A shepherd proudly stands on a hill over looking the cemetery. At the shepherd’s feet are a bronze helmet and a canteen. Dog lovers felt that these great dogs should be memorialized for their important role in aiding soldiers during the World War. There are also markers that commemorate the dogs who served in the 1995 Oklahoma Bombing and the 2001 search and rescues dogs who served during 9/11. You can’t miss – it just head to the top of the long stairs that lead directly to the monument usually marked by American flags.

Roaming through the monuments, you will see that many date back to the late 19th and early 20th century. During that time, Dr. Johnson’s pet cemetery continued to be popular in the news and among pet owners who have lost their pets. While the cemetery is a celebration of lives of beloved animals, the cemetery was gaining a reputation as being a passing fancy for the New York rich. Wealthy New Yorkers spared no expense while planning the funeral for their pets. Many articles were published in the New York Times that highlighted the elaborate pet funerals of the time. In 1909, one article focused on the highly anticipated burial vault that a woman named Mrs. Allan-Shepard, the wife of a wealthy jeweler, would have made to bury her Maltese poodle in.

War Dog Monument - Click to Enlarge

The article quoted one New York undertaker stating, “I don’t know why animals should not have decent burials,” referring to dog burials. “ They are family friends and people do not feel like they can be taken off by the ash man like so much rubbish, and they are not allowed to buried them in their own yards.” That said, it is not surprising that the cemetery would be labeled as a service for the rich. Pet funerals must have been viewed as a frivolous expense to some who were not as financially stable. In today’s world, I think that idea still applies for many of us, and today when you mention Hartsdale Pet Cemetery, some people may comment on the notable pet burials of famous pet owners like singer Mariah Carey or chef Rocco DiSpirito. While not all of us will go through the motions of a pet funeral, we do not take the passing of a family pet lightly.

I don’t know about you, but when one of my furry children become ill, my life stops. So, I can’t tell you what you will experience if you visit this historically famous pet cemetery, but I can tell you that it is a special place and if you find yourself traveling down North Central Park Avenue in Hartsdale, take the time to stop and take a stroll. Just look for the black iron gates that read Hartsdale Canine Cemetery 1896. While the Hartsdale Canine Cemetery may not be haunted, it is internationally famous and a must see here in the Hudson Valley.

References:

The Hartsdale Canine Cemetery: www.petcem.com

“Plans a Monument to Her Pet Dog”,  New York Times, September 29, 1907

Lyndhurst Castle-Tarrytown, NY

The 1960‘s Gothic soap opera Dark Shadows is a hot topic here in the Hudson Valley, and if you are wondering why, it’s because it has very special meaning to the folks at Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown and the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

Dark Shadows is the latest Johnny Depp/Tim Burton film project that will be bloody fabulous. The resurrection of Johnny Depp as vampire Barnabas Collins, the leading “undead” man, has been an interest to Depp for quite some time. He too is a Dark Shadows fan. The movie is scheduled to release in May 2012, while the date seems to be coming up quickly, it is an eternity for some of us hardcore fans.  You don’t have to wait to delve into the mysterious town of Collinsport, ME where the story takes place. By now you are probably wondering, What does this have to do with the Hudson Valley? Well, I will share that with you because it seems to be the best kept secret around.

Filming on Location

The popular Gothic soap opera spun off into a full-length film in 1970 called House of Dark Shadows. The Dark Shadows film was shot on location at the Lyndhurst Gothic Revival mansion and at the  Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. The most amazing and extremely rare features of Lyndhurst are the furnishings. As each family moved out, they left their furniture and trinkets behind, leaving us with a rich historical account of the lives and deaths of those who once lived there. This was a great attraction to location scouts for House of Dark Shadows, as many scenes show items which are still in the house today. Fans will recognize desks, beds, vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, trompe l’oeil painted walls, Gothic doorways from the movie set. Many scenes were shot at the carriage house, children’s playhouse, rose gardens, green house and other out buildings on the property.

Luckily, the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery was located just miles from Lyndhurst and made the perfect setting for the entrance of the Collins’ crypt and final resting place of a 200-year-old vampire.

Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow were the perfect backdrop to tell the story of a love-sick vampire who yearns to walk in the daylight.

Photo Gallery

Gothic Romance Incarnate

If you are enamored with Eric Northman or Bill Compton of HBO’s True Blood series, the infatuation of the vampire is not much different today from the vampires of the past. You may even think of Barnabas Collins, formerly played by Jonathan Frid, as being old school, but he is eloquent and you get sucked in to his old-fashioned mannerisms that mesmerize and intrigue.

This Gothic love story transcends hundreds of years. House of Dark Shadows unleashes the vampire Barnabas Collins on his unsuspecting family and their neighbors. Released from his crypt by the Collins’ drunken caretaker, the undead Barnabas becomes obsessed with claiming his family home and rebuilding his life as he falls for a local girl, Magee Evans, who bears an uncanny resemblance to his long-lost love Josette Dupree. Barnabas believes that Magee is the reincarnation of his former lover and plans to make her his bride for eternity. Fangs flash and blood flows as the Collins family’s darkest secret are exposed.

House of Dark Shadows is closely based on the soap opera that aired from June 27, 1966 to April 2, 1971. Many of us have very fond memories of rushing home just dying to see what will happen next.

“I remember watching this show after school. Barnabas was the quintessential vampire. Great stuff and wondrous memories!”

Paul F. M.

So many memories, rushing home from junior high to catch it on TV. it was so campy and low budget, shaky sets and hammy acting. but i loved it so!

Lupe V.

I couldn’t wait to get home from school to watch Dark Shadows. I was madly in love with Quentin. I Learned to play the ‘Blue Whale’ theme song on the piano. I was very lucky to babysit for the character, ‘King Johnny Romamo’ ( Paul Mitchel’s kids). I have a script from the show that is signed by him! Also still have my scrapbook of the show. It was the best!

Barbara Roth B.

My name is Victoria Winters…

I recall running home from the bus stop and planting myself in front of the TV with my mother to watch my favorite TV show. I loved the opening scene with the angry ocean hitting the shore. The dimly lit mansion seemed just about to slide off the cliff. I was enamored with Barnabas Collins as if he glamoured me through the TV screen. That Christmas I received the best gift ever, The Barnabas Collins Dark Shadows (1969) game! Whoo hoo! The game came with a coffin to hold all the pieces and glow in the dark fangs. You had to spin the spinner and build your skeleton on a scaffold to win Barnabas’ ring. That kept me busy for hours. Today my treasured Dark Shadows item is a realistic Barnabas Collins Doll that no one dare touch or I will stake them!

I am not the only one with fond memories. As a matter of fact, Dark Shadows has a strong cult following. The Dark Shadows Festival is a popular event for fans. Each year it is held on a different coast.

Bringing Dark Shadows Back

Am I excited about the remake? Hell yes! I have every confidence in Johnny Depp’s performance I will probably be drooling in the front row. Finally, a vampire for big girls. I wasn’t as excited until I read that Johnny’s goal was to play Barnabas true to life and that makes me happy. Tim Burton is a little out there at times, but I do enjoy his films. Why wait until 2012 to become a Dark Shadows fan? Here are some things you can do right now.

1. Tour the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery by Lantern. Almost all tours enter the Receiving Vault where the footage for Barnabas Collins’ crypt was shot.
2. Visit Lyndhurst Estate home of the fictitious Collinwood Estate.
3. Watch the entire series on NetFlix on Demand.

Ready to delve into the world of House of Dark Shadows?

Watch it online at Amazon Video on Demand.

Plan your visit to Lyndhurst:

Lyndhurst
635 South Broadway
Tarrytown, N.Y. 10591
(914) 631-4481

www.lyndhurst.org

In the 17th century Sunnyside was said to be haunted. That was the norm for any location in Sleepy Hollow at the time. Irving spoke of the ghost of “a young woman in the southwest bedroom that died of love and green apples.”

According to a New York Times article published in 1947, Washington Irving’s great-great-nephew offered remarks at the Rockefeller dedication ceremony in 1947 stating that the “ghost of the legendary writer was seen by guests who stayed in the front room of the home facing the Tappan Zee. He is said to be an amiable ghost.” That is not surprising considering how Irving was revered in his time. This was the first publicly reported claim of Irving’s ghost at Sunnyside.

They say that spirits choose not to move on because they don’t want to leave what they loved the most─ the place where they were the happiest. Sunnyside was that place for Irving.

The Man Behind the Legend

Irving himself remarked that if he were ever going to come back as a ghost, he would haunt Sunnyside. To appreciate that comment, you have to have a basic understanding of who Irving was and how he felt about his home, his family and friends, and his lifestyle. These significant historical facts are vital to entertaining the notion of the return of his ghostly apparition.

Washington Irving was more than the author of celebrated classic ghost story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Irving was deemed the “rock star’ of his time; in reality he was a simple gentleman who experienced emotional and financial challenges just like anyone else. His fiancée died at the age of 17 from consumption, which scarred him and led him into living the lifestyle of a confirmed bachelor. At one point, he was thought to have been romantically involved in a love triangle with writer Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly. They surely would have made an extraordinary writing team. Who knows what great literary works would have stemmed from that relationship?

Irving worked as a full-time writer and was employed just enough to maintain his middle-class status. He was also well-traveled and acted as US Ambassador to Spain. He never owned a home of his own until he purchased Sunnyside. “As Irving wrote, he was eager for a home and was willing to pay a little unreasonably for it. Irving finally purchased the property on June 7, 1835 for $1,800” (Sunnyside 2010). Irving worked alongside artist and friend George Harvey and passionately developed Sunnyside into a collaborative work of art that collectively presented sophisticated international influences in its design. This small saltbox house would be built into a magnificent mansion that he would cherish and share with his family and dearest friends.

The renovation of Sunnyside was taking a financial toll. Irving hesitantly accepted an offer to act as envoy to Spain in order to continue with his plans for Sunnyside. “It will be a severe trial to absent myself for a time from my dear little Sunnyside, but I shall return to it better enabled to carry it on comfortably.”(Sunnyside 2010) He left for Spain and depended on his brother Abraham and his five nieces to run the estate. Upon his return from Spain, Irving spent his concluding days at his beloved Sunnyside.

Until His Dying Days

Irving was not in the best of health. He suffered from a heart condition among other ailments. He was cared for by two of his nieces, Catherine and Sarah who never married. Irving continued to write up through the last days of his life. Happy to be back in his home, Irving stated, “My heart dwells in this blessed little spot, and I really believe that when I die, I shall haunt it” (Weston 1959).

Irving was an eloquent writer who penned his own last will and testament. It is apparent how he felt about Sunnyside and the delicate care that he received from his family in the way he fondly outlines how his estate should be handled. Irving wanted Sunnyside and his family cared for until their time there was over. The will states,

I declare my general intention to be to dispose all of my estate, so that it may be as far as possible kept together as maintenance for my brother, Ebenezer; and his daughters who have become accustom to reside with me, to enable them to live with the same degree of comfort they have been accustom under my roof. I make this disposition as an early return for the brotherly affection shown to me by my brother… I make it also in return for the consideration and cherishing care in sickness and in health I have ever experienced by his daughters to me for years and have rendered my home a happy one…(1859)

On November 28, 1859 at 76 years old, Washington Irving passed away resting in his bed at Sunnyside.

Sunnyside Today

Washington Irving had many happy years at Sunnyside, probably the happiest years of this life. It is not unrealistic to think that the spirit of the author of the greatest legend of the Hudson Valley would remain. Irving created his own legend in the story of his life. His love of Sunnyside and the affectionate care of his nieces stage the perfect setting for a terrific ghost story. It has been said that a woman combing her long hair has been seen in the cottage. We assume that this story refers to the spirit of one of his nieces who may linger to continually care for her adored uncle. No matter what you believe, Irving’s spirit lives on in his work and influence. He made an everlasting mark on the town of Sleepy Hollow. Ironically, of all the legendary haunts of the Hudson Valley, the man who composed the greatest ghostly legend of all would in fact become a ghostly legend in his own right.

Visiting

The delicate care of Sunnyside by the Irving family makes it possible for you to experience this warm and charming historical home today. In 1947, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. donated $500,000 to restore Sunnyside to its original state preserving this great piece of history.

Experience Sunnyside and view the original furnishings and belongings of Irving and his family. Who knows, you may even catch a ghost?

Photo Gallery

How to Visit:

April 1 to Oct. 31*

Daily except Tuesdays
10am-5pm; last tour at 4pm

Special Hours
May 27-28 and June 2: noon-5pm; last tour at 4pm
Nov. 1 to Dec. 26*

Saturdays and Sundays; Friday, Nov. 26
10am-4pm; last tour at 3pm
For More Information

Call 914.631.8200 Monday through Friday or 914.591.8763 on weekend.

Visit their Web site >

Visit Washington Irving’s final resting place at The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery >

Planning your stay in Tarrytown >

Works Cited:

“Always for the Irvings.” New York Times. 23 February 1896.

Faber, H.” Irving Home Opens with Two Ghosts.” New York Times. 1947.

Sunnyside (Tarrytown, New York). (2010, June 2). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10:25, July 12, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sunnyside_(Tarrytown,_New_York)&oldid=365726076

Weston, M. “Sunnyside Revisited.” New York Times. 26 April 1959.

Night Lantern Tour

Sleepy Hollow, NY—Historical cemeteries in the Hudson Valley are recognizing how rich they are in history, art, and architecture. Many are encouraging visitors to view their grounds as open-air classrooms where the histories of our communities are on display and often punctuated by great works of art.

The concept of cemetery art runs deeper than simply admiring the artistry of monuments to

the dead.  Through the often lavish use of symbolism, we can glimpse the values previous generations held dear as well as their attitudes toward life and death. I had the opportunity to learn more about how to “read” a cemetery from Douglas Keister, award-winning author, photographer, and expert in the field of cemetery symbolism. Mr. Keister recently lectured at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where he shared his knowledge and photos from his popular book, Stories in Stone: The Complete Guide to Cemetery Symbolism

Keister’s book is a favorite among cemetery enthusiasts.  “This book is my bible. I photograph cemeteries, record and clean headstones, and seem to be getting pulled into doing tours by sheer interest, and I always have Mr Keister’s book with me.” says Laurel Ellis Pardo.  This stunning field guide beautifully illustrates the art and architecture that can be found in cemeteries locally and around the world.  Mr Keister eagerly shared his experiences with us as he took us on an extraordinary journey showcasing monuments you may never have the opportunity to experience in person.

The group experienced the common, unique, and unusual works of cemetery art though brilliant imagery.  You may have noticed common themes while walking in our local cemeteries, but were you aware of what they symbolized? Mr. Keister shared the meanings of the most common symbols and the many secret societies. The following is a sample of some common symbolism found in our local cemeteries:

Common Symbols:

• The Lamb usually used on children’s graves and symbolizes innocence.

• The Lily of the Valley symbolizes innocence, purity and virginity.

• The Weeping Willow suggests grief and sorrow and in many religions immortality.

• The Palm symbolizes victory or triumph over death. It characterizes the triumphant entry and the resurrection.

• Effigy is an image of a glorified soul, winging its way heavenward. The face isn’t intended to portray the deceased.

• The Laurel Wreath symbolizes victory in death and remembrance.

• Secret Societies: There is a plethora of secret society symbolism in cemeteries; you just have to look for them. Some of the popular symbols represent the Free Masons, Knights of Columbus and the Daughters of the American Revolution. If you are serious about tracing the origins of these secret Societies, Stories in Stone has an extensive list of acronyms to assist you with your research.

Symbolism changes over time as traditions and perspectives on death change. You can see this in an example of how effigy has changed from a skull and cross bones to a more angelic face as view of death changed.  The secret society connection was very popular due to death benefit offering to its members. Today joining a secret society gives you a good reason to go and hang with guys or girls..  That’s how much times have changed. When I hear the phrase “secret society,” I picture Fred and Barney rushing out the door in an effort not to be late for their ‘Loyal Order of Buffalos” meeting.

If you roam through any local cemetery, you will be able to find at least some representation of these cemetery symbols.  What you may not know about are the strange and remarkable monuments to mortality that exist beyond your wildest imagination that lie elsewhere.

Magnetized by the Macabre

More than likely it is not the common symbols that fascinate us but the morbid and the macabre. Who knew that the phrase “skeletons in the closet” was actually derived from the practice of hiding corpses in closets for dissection and experimentation in the 1700s when the surgical field was an up and coming profession? An acute shortage of legally obtained cadavers inspired another profession: body snatching! Mr. Keiser shared a sinister looking photo of bars over a grave, closely resembling a jail cell for the dead—a contraption named the “Mortsafe” to protect against grave robbers. On another note, how many times were you told that in New Orleans cemeteries bodies are interred above ground because they will once again rise from the dead? Not as ghosts or zombies of course, but to float away as the water levels rise. This is a fallacy. Mr. Keister explained that this style of above-ground burial was actually common place in Spain and early settlers followed suit. Morbid stories aside, there is a wealth of stories behind some of the most unique monuments that serve as a final calling card.

Lasting Impressions

Mr. Keister shared an abundance of imagery of some of the most fascinating, and some pricey, symbols that truly leave a lasting impression. From heart-wrenching to hilarious, there is a flavor for everyone’s taste.  I will share some of my favorites as there are just too many to mention.

• Tse Mercedes – A tribute to a young man who passed suddenly without ever fulfilling his dream to own a Benz. Wish granted. He rests under a full-sized granite replica of his dream car in a New Jersey cemetery.

• Marie Laveau– Marie was know as the  Voodoo priestess of New Orleans. A popular tourist destination.

• Merello/Volta Monument – A very forlorn bronze woman in a wedding dress clutching her bouquet. Talk about “Til death do you part.” This monument is located in the Brooklyn, NY.

• Mel Blanc – The ever popular final words from the “man of a thousand voices,’ “That’s All Folks.” Mel Blanc rests in Hollywood, CA

While these monuments are bold and beautiful, it was time to go in search of the cemetery symbolism located in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Walk thorough any cemetery, and you will immediately gain some sense of the affluence of the community or families living within by the monument that marks their final resting place. The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is rich in symbolism and history. In fact, The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is often compared to the Père Lachaise in Paris—famed as the final resting place of singer, poet, and song-writer, Jim Morrison—as a most visited tourist destination.

Following the lecture, we took a guided tour led by cemetery historian Jim Logan.  We wandered the cemetery soaking up the history that is left to future generations marked only by a slab of stone. Shadowy figures danced across the dark night sky, as we roamed though the lush rolling hills of the famous or should I say infamous cemetery. The gravel crunched beneath our feet as we followed the glistening illumination reflecting off the stream of lanterns lighting the way through this vast city of the dead.

View the photo album below

We crept around the cemetery in this two-hour tour learning about the legacies of those left behind. The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is the final resting place of an impressive list of celebrities of prosperity of their time.  Authors, artists, spiritualists, and a wealth of business tycoons are memorialized by the most impressive works of art and symbolism in the area. It is one thing to read about these great works of cemetery art, but it an entirely different experience to admire them in the dark by the glow of a lantern. I assure you that as ideas of death change over time, we will not see this type of artistry in future years.

The End

Learning about cemetery symbolism and touring cemeteries often makes me think of my own mortality. The final note that struck a chord with me is how strongly Keister expressed his feeling that cemeteries are for the living, not for the dead. He believes that in a time where traditions are changing we may be tempted not to leave any trace of our existence behind. In closing Keister states, “Don’t be selfish. Leave a legacy for those who come after you.”   I began thinking about what my legacy would be. I am the last of my line. Is it really that important? I am fortunate to be rich in the many friendships that I have made over the years. How do I want to be remembered?  I have no desire to be laid to rest in a Mercedes or be remembered as a forlorn bride. The truthful answer is I don’t know what my story will be.

What will be your story in stone?

Note:  Unfortunately, I am unable to share Mr. Keister’s photography that highlights this story, but you may view his book online.  If you love cemetery art, I highly recommend that you add this field guide to your collection.

Photo Gallery:

Ghosts are a hot commodity here in the historic Hudson Valley. While the quiet town of Sleepy Hollow has taken pride in being a historical destination of legendary haunts, it has been slow to catch on elsewhere.  Historic sites are now recognizing that ghostly legend nights are in high demand. Interests in ghosts have reached its all-time high with the surge in ghost shows on cable. According to Wikipedia, the show Ghost Hunters has gained SyFy’s highest programming ratings.  Haunted History on the History Channel is more my style. I am drawn to history and legends and feel fortunate that I can experience all these ghost stories right here in my own back yard, which led me to recently visit three prime destinations for a good ghost story. Historic Huguenot Street, Clermont Historic Site, and Olana State Historic Site are destinations all with its own unique flavor of haunts once the witching season rolls around.

Historic Huguenot Street

Huguenot Street in New Paltz, NY is famous for its ghost stories. This being one of the oldest settlements in the Hudson Valley, Huguenot Street is a step back in time. Quaint stone houses line the street dating back to the 1700s. If walls could talk, what stories would they tell? Here is your opportunity to find out.

During the month of October, Historic Huguenot Street becomes Haunted Huguenot Street. This popular street tour immerses you into the dark spookiness of the community blending legends with rich history. At each stop there is a story to tell from the child murders of Maria Deyo to the violent axe murder of Daniel Hasbrouck. You will visit burial ground that dates back to 1723 and hear stories of visiting ghosts whose bodies were laid to rest there. The Hugenots believed that the body was put to rest, but the soul moved on. I don’t want to give the entire tour away. Is your interest peaked? I hope so.

Captain Kidd and Janet Montgomery courtesy of Clermont Historic Site

Clermont Historic Site

Clermont Historic Site is the former Livingston estate located in Clermont, NY; established in 1728. This historic site hosts Legends by Candlelight Spook Tours, an old fashioned Halloween celebration with five generations of ghosts from Clermont’s past. According to Kjirsten Gustavson, Curator of Education at Clermont Historic Site, they have had to add more tours due to popular demand.

Unsuspecting visitors find that they have been invited to Halloween party for young sisters Janet and Honoria Livingston circa 1921; however, they have arrived too early.  When they are invited to see the rest of the house while their hosts finish getting ready, a séance goes wrong, and six generations of Livingston ghosts fill the house.

Gustavson says that some favorite ghosts reappear each year.

“For instance, the ghost of Margaret Beekman Livingston, who died suddenly in the dining room in 1800, chases guests out of the room, believing them to be ghosts at her dinner party.  Captain Kidd, a pirate with ties to the Livingston family, Irish servants, separated spouses, and deceased Revolutionary War heroes have all made appearances.”

I don’t want to spoil all the fun, but beware as you stroll through grounds by lantern.

Olana State Historic Site

Olana State Historic Site

Olana State Historic Site is a magnificent Persian-style home located in Hudson, NY that was designed by Hudson River School artist, Federic Church. Olana sits high on a hill with magnificent views of the Hudson River and the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. A work of art in itself, Olana serves as a historic site and state park that offers many educational opportunities. I can’t think of a spookier place to learn about ghosts.

Last year’s fall event focused on Ghosts and the Victorians. According to Carri Manchester, Director of Education, spiritualism was an integral component of Victorian society and literature. “Even the widowed Mary Todd Lincoln visited the noted spirit photographer, William Mumler, to have her photograph taken with the late President.”, states Manchester.

This event focused around what makes a ghost Victorian and how spirit photographs were made.  And if that was not enough to peak your curiosity about ghosts, guests were escorted a moonlit walk to hear ghost stories written by Frederic Church’s friend Amelia Edwards.

Information on events and visiting these historic sites:
Three historic sites—three eerie experiences. We can’t wait until the fall season approaches to experience all the ghostly riches of the Hudson Valley. These events are growing in popularity, so make reservations early on. We hope to see you at any of these ghostly events. Please check our calendar for a listing of events and activities at these historic sites and others.

Huguenot Street
http://www.huguenotstreet.org/

Clermont Historic Site

http://www.friendsofclermont.org/

Olana State Historic Site
http://www.olana.org/

Sources:

“Ghost Hunters -.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 27 Mar. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunters>.