The Friends of the Old Dutch Burying Ground, a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization, was founded in 1984 to educate the public about and preserve this National Historic Landmark. Donations are used for the upkeep and conservation of the Burying Ground and toward educational programs.

Some of our activities include:

• Conservation of grave stones.
  We have performed restoration work on a significant number of damaged stones.

• Maintenance of the grounds.
  The Friends, in cooperation with the Reformed Church of Tarrytown, mow grass and perform other yard work throughout the growing season.

• Seasonal cleanups.
  In Spring and Fall we clean up vegetation, fallen leaves, and downed branches. Often these are with the participation of other local organizations, such as Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops.

• Stone wall repairs.
  We have repaired or rebuilt stone walls along the western and southern boundaries of the burying ground.

• Tree work.
  Over the past few years we have paid particular attention to fast-growing non-native trees like Norway maples that have threatened to engulf grave markers. Where possible, we replace these with trees that are known to have existed in the burying ground in Irving's time, such as a row of elm trees planted several years ago along the western edge of the property.
  

• Education.
  Our perennially popular Sunday afternoon tours of the burying ground run from Memorial Day weekend through the last weekend in October. With advanced notice, we can accommodate your group at other times. We have recently launched one of our most ambitious projects, an inventory and corresponding map of burials which will allow us to compare the state of the burying ground to previous surveys performed in the 1920s and the 1950s. We welcome assistance both on the ground and in the subsequent data processing.

Email us to volunteer your assistance in any of our activities.

The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow was constructed around 1685 on what was then the manor of Frederick Philipse, whose 52,000 acre landholdings stretched from Yonkers to Croton. Philipse's restored trading center in Sleepy Hollow, Philipsburg Manor, is now a living history museum where you can experience 18th century colonial life. The church has undergone some alteration over the years, but nothing that would make it unrecognizable to generations past. When the Albany post road was rerouted from east of the church to west, the door was moved from the south wall to the west wall. The original small, square windows were replaced with the present large, pointed arches. The original bell, cast in the Netherlands, still hangs in the belfry. Its inscription is from the book of Romans: "Si Deus Pro Nobis, Quis Contra Nos?" "If God be for us, who can be against us?"

The congregation itself was formally organized in 1697 and continues today at its more modern (1837) building at Central Avenue and North Broadway in Tarrytown. The Old Dutch Church is used at Easter, Christmas Eve, for summer services, and occasional weddings. For information on services, contact the congregation:

The Reformed Church of Tarrytown
42 North Broadway
Tarrytown, NY 10591
www.rctodc.org
914-631-4497