During our 2025 season (April through October) the Ball-Sellers House will celebrate the 50th anniversary of becoming a free public museum and we are planning a series of commemorative events at the house starting with our opening day on Saturday, April 5 at 1:00 pm. The Ball-Sellers House is hosting the Early American music group, Bedlam, for two concert shows at:
- 1:30 pm
- 3:00 pm
Bedlam was founded in 1989 and specializes in Early American music, including songs and tunes of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Its unusual name comes from a bittersweet ballad about the infamous mental asylum, the Hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem, London, popularly known throughout history as Bedlam. The group is based in Maryland and performs throughout the DMV region. They perform a wide range of tavern songs, romantic ballads, lively dance tunes, and instrumental selections on guitars, recorders, and percussion.
Join us as we celebrate our history and our anniversary. The house will be open for free guided tours and we’ll offer free colonial era sweet treats. We are at 5620 3rd Street, South in Arlington.
On February 24, 1975, the Arlington Historical Society (AHS) held a public Acceptance Ceremony at the house to accept the key from the donor, Marian Sellers. Despite the chill in the winter air, the AHS board of Directors, the Arlington County board, and the public watched as Mrs. Sellers handed the key to Donald Orth, the AHS President, in return for a handshake and $10. Since then, AHS has researched the house history, refurbished the original 1750 farmhouse as it may have looked during the colonial period, and opened it to the public for free tours. We hope you’ll join us for this and future events this season as we appreciate the selfless act of generosity to our community of this gift of a historic treasure of a house.
