On March 15, 2025, the Arlington Historical Society and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington unveiled the first of a series of “Stumbling Stones.” These bronze markers commemorate the lives of the enslaved people who helped build our county (and our country). The markers are placed in the sidewalk at the last known location where these enslaved people lived. Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington’s research has revealed over 2750 enslaved people and identified 1050 by name.
The dedication ceremony honored three once enslaved individuals
Margaret Hyson: Born ca 1825, Died July 11, 1891
George Hyson: Born ca 1851, Died June 1900
Charlotte Hyson: Born Nov. 10, 1853, Died June 9, 1921
The unveiling of the markers will occur at 3:00pm, Saturday March 15, 2025 at the northeast corner of Little Falls Road and Harrison Street, Arlington VA 22207.
Their Story
Margaret, George, and Charlotte Hyson were enslaved by William and Catherine Minor. From 1803 through the Civil War, their 110-acre farm, “Springfield,” encompassed a portion of what is now the Yorktown Civic Association neighborhood. When William died in 1859, 29 enslaved men, women, and children were part of his estate.
Margaret’s origins are unknown although an unmarried woman her age was listed on the Minor family census records from 1830-1860. Margaret married a free Black man, Thornton Hyson and gave birth to George and Charlotte in 1853. When William Minor died, the enslaved people were given to his children, but the Hyson’s remained with Catherine. The Hyson family was likely freed by the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863. They eventually settled in the Hall’s Hill area of Arlington, where their descendants still live today.
Descendants of the Hyson family, and some of the Arlington Public School students who helped design and manufacture the bronze markers will offer brief remarks about this important milestone. County officials and others involved with the project will speak as well.
Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington seeks to shed light upon these early Americans who contributed so much to the economic, social, and cultural development of our county.
For more information, please contact Jessica Kaplan from the Arlington Historical Society at ahsedlink@gmail.com
