Where the Legend Lives
A reading and discussion with Leanna Renee Hieber, award-winning author, actress, playwright and narrator.
From the notorious Lizzie Borden to the innumerable, haunted rooms of Sarah Winchester’s mysterious mansion, this offbeat, insightful, first-ever book of its kind explores the history behind America’s female ghosts, the stereotypes, myths, and paranormal tales that swirl around them, what their stories reveal about us—and why they haunt us.
Sorrowful widows, vengeful jezebels, innocent maidens, wronged lovers, even the occasional axe-murderess—America’s female ghosts differ widely in background, class, and circumstance. Yet one thing unites them: their ability to instill fascination and fear, long after their deaths. Here are the full stories behind some of the best-known among them, as well as the lesser-known—though no less powerful. Tales whispered in darkness often divulge more about the teller than the subject. Riveting for skeptics and believers alike, with humor, curiosity, and expertise, A Haunted History of Invisible Women offers a unique lens on the significant role these ghostly legends play both within the spook-seeking corners of our minds and in the consciousness of a nation.
There's something for everyone in the real Sleepy Hollow—farmers markets, live music, street fairs, historic homes, hiking trails, kayaking and boating on the Hudson River. Halloween season brings even more for the whole family—haunted hayrides, blazing pumpkins, costumed 5K run, Halloween parade, and of course, the Headless Horseman! For the latest on Fall events, visit our guide to Halloween in Sleepy Hollow.