The Historical Society will once again present its annual Halloween-themed program, “Grave Matters.” Popular speaker Ellen Drake will return with a new presentation entitled, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and other Revolutionary Tall Tales.”
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by American author Washington Irving is set in 1790 in the countryside near the former Dutch settlement of Tarrytown, New York. Published in 1820, it may have been based, at least in part, on the rumored discovery of a headless corpse in the Sleepy Hollow area during the Revolutionary War. Irving’s tale blends local folklore, romance, and horror, and is one of the first enduring works of American fiction.
Ellen Drake is a retired middle school history teacher and former member of the GDHS Board of Directors. She has presented informative and entertaining programs on “Victorian Mourning Customs” and “History of Halloween.” Through her humor, research, and love of storytelling, Ellen engages audiences with larger-than-life tales rooted in American history.
Light refreshments will follow Ellen’s talk. The program is sponsored by our Business Partner, Frey-Fetsock Funeral Home.
