National Historical Landmark-Sunnyside Washington Irving Home

This stone house, purchased by writer Washington Irving in 1835, was his home until his death. The house and landscaped grounds, created between 1835 and 1859, tell the story of the Romantic movement in 19th century America.

Irving published his first book, A History of New York, in 1809 under the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker. He is best remembered for his 1819-1820 work, The Sketch Book, with its unforgettable characters, Rip Van Winkle, Ichabod Crane and the headless horseman, who all gallivanted, or slept, not far from Sunnyside in the Hudson River Dutch settlements.

Courtesy National Park Service National Historical Landmarks