Research at the Arlington Historical Society

If you’ve reached this page, you are likely interested in learning about or researching some aspect of Arlington history. The Arlington Historical Society (AHS) supports historical research through publications, guidance, and referrals to trusted local repositories and online resources.

While AHS does not maintain a research library or archival collections beyond artifacts in our care, we have contributed to Arlington scholarship since 1957 through The Arlington Historical Society Magazine, a journal of original research on all aspects of Arlington history. The complete series is available on this website. We also offer a limited number of books about Arlington history for purchase.

Research Assistance

Our website and volunteer staff provide research assistance to members and the broader public. Within certain limitations, we can:

• Respond to inquiries about historic information or artifacts (in digital form), whether or not they are part of our collections

• Refer researchers to online resources and local repositories

• Connect visitors with organizations that may hold relevant documentation or artifacts

If you are unsure where to begin, we are happy to help guide you.

Key Local Research Resources

We regularly direct researchers to established institutions that maintain extensive historical collections, including those operated by Arlington County government.

The principal local repository is the Arlington County Public Library, where materials related to county history are concentrated in the Charlie Clark Center for Local History (CCCLH) at the Central Library on N. Quincy Street. The Center houses books, maps, city directories, photographs, government records, and other materials essential for historical research. It also incorporates the Arlington Community Archive, which preserves records of community organizations, businesses, and individual Arlingtonians.

Guidance for accessing CCCLH resources is available through the Arlington County Public Library website.

Research Topics

To help researchers navigate Arlington’s past, we have organized commonly requested topics into the following categories. Each page includes links to:

• Arlington County Public Library Resources

• Arlington County Government Resources

• Other Relevant Resources

Your County

Includes a selected bibliography of books on county history, links to sources of county-wide historical information, and materials on schools, churches, cemeteries, waterways, and other community features compiled by AHS over the years.

Your Neighborhood

Provides links to neighborhood organization websites and historical summaries of neighborhood development where available. While we strive to keep these lists updated, some neighborhoods may not appear due to limited available documentation.

Your Property

Offers guidance on researching the history of homes in Arlington, including deeds, maps, tax records, and directories. Many of the same methods apply to researching commercial properties.

Your Family

Includes descriptions and links to genealogical resources, with special attention to researching past residents of Arlington.

Your Question — Something Else

Provides guidance for historical research topics that do not neatly fit into the above categories.

Still Have Questions?

If you’ve explored these resources and still haven’t found what you’re looking for, please contact the Arlington Historical Society Research & Preservation Committee. We will do our best to assist you.

 

 

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