Ossining's Dale Cemetery Now Listed in National Historic Registry

First Dale Cemetery had the honor to be named on the New York State Historical Registry, and now it’s gone national.

As of the end of the July and after many months of applications and effort, Ossining’s cemetery is among the sites listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

“These designations represent the initial stages of the Town of Ossining’s efforts to establish a comprehensive cultural heritage tourism program,” Town Supervisor Sue Donnelly said of the two honors.

The 47-acre cemetery was originally owned by the Dale Cemetery Association, a group of residents who opened the cemetery as a community service. In 2004, the town took it over. There are many famous people—like the inspiration for Ichabod Crane, Samuel Young—buried in the cemetery, click here to find out whom.

For more history, historical photos and a virtual tour of Dale Cemetery. click here.

“Cemeteries are not just resting places for the dead, but places for the living to get a real understanding of Ossining’s history, complete with images, artifacts, words and landscapes that have architectural, cultural and historical significance,” said Miguel Hernandez, who gives tours and lectures on this and other sites and was instrumental in getting the designation.

The “comprehensive cultural heritage tourism program” Donnelly speaks of will later include more such tours and lectures along with the creation of a not-for-profit “Ossining Historical Cemeteries Conservancy” organization to “raise awareness of our historical cemeteries (memorial parks) and allow for contributions of time, financial support, or labor to this local cause,” Donnelly said.