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VIRGINIA O’HANLAN SITES

October 18, 2014 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

Chatham & Sleepy Hollow, New York

Virginia O'Hanlan Letter (wikipedia.com)

Virginia O’Hanlan Letter (wikipedia.com)

On September 21, 1897, the New York Sun ran an inconspicuous little editorial which appeared below a bicycle advertisement.  It was entitled Is There A Santa Claus?, and it has gone on to become one of the most famous editorials ever written.  The first sentence of the second paragraph, which reads “Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus”, has become one of the most popular holiday quotes of all time.  The editorial, and the story behind it, have become part of Christmas culture in America, and the two individuals involved, Virginia O’Hanlon and Francis Church, immortalized forever as an American holiday institution.

Frances Church was a prominent news writer with a long and distinguished journalistic history.  He had been a correspondant during the American Civil War, and had founded several newspapers with his brother William.  After receiving a letter from eight year old Virginia O’Hanlon, he made a magnificent and deeply philosophical reply that boldly declared, without a doubt, that there was a Santa Claus.  The letter was received with great acclaim, and became an overnight sensation.  In the century since its first printing, Church’s letter has become the most re-published editorial of all time.

Virginia O'Hanlon (wikipedia.com)

Virginia O’Hanlon (wikipedia.com)

Both Virginia’s letter and Church’s reply are heartwarming reminders of an age that is now gone.  Virginia’s touching words to the New York Sun demanded the truth about Santa Claus, because “if it is written in the Sun it must be so”.  Church’s bold reply, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” has become, to many people, the definitive answer for all time.  Although it is not known if the two ever met, there names will be inextricably linked forever by this sentimental exchange.  Virginia O’Hanlon is buried in the Chatham Rural Cemetery in the town of Chatham just outside of Albany, about a hundred miles north of New York City.  Francis Church is buried in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, about twenty-five miles north of New York City.

Chatham Rural Cemetery is an open site.  Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is a major landmark, with a number of famous interments, including assorted Carnegies, Astors, Helmsleys, Chryslers and Washington Irving.  It is open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30am-4:30pm.  There is no cost of admission.  Web: www.chathamnewyork.us (official website of the Town of Chatham); http://sleepyhollowcemetery.org (official website of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery)

Filed Under: Christmas Tagged With: US-New York

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About Howard Kramer

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is a culmination of years of his work and passion.

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Welcome to The Complete Pilgrim(TM)! This site, created by Howard Kramer, is a combination travel blog and online guide to the world's greatest sites of religious interest (with some historic and recreational places thrown in for good measure). All written content has been originally researched and produced and is provided free for public research and enjoyment. Thank you for visiting!

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Have a comment, a great photo or a religious site you'd like to nominate for the weekly spotlight? We would love to hear from you. Email us at hkramer@thecompletepilgrim.com.

About the Author

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is the culmination of years of his work and passion.

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