A lifesize figure of a soldier in 18th century clothes with a large gold helmet

It is believed that The Legend of Sleepy Hallow, Washington Irving’s gothic tale about the ghostly Headless Horseman, was based on a Hessian soldier who was decapitated by cannonball fire. Join a Museum educator for a 10-minute, in-gallery talk about the legend, and visit the Hessian tableau to learn about the surprisingly historic origins of this classic scary story.

Meet in the Trenton and Princeton gallery daily at 11:30 a.m. (except Oct. 10-12) for this talk.