About

The Arlington Historical Society (AHS), founded in 1956, is a nonprofit educational organization incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Arlington Historical Society conducts research to preserve and disseminate knowledge relating to the history, archaeology, material culture, geography,  and socio-economic development of Arlington County, Virginia.

The society provides historic resources for the community, including two historic properties and their artifact collection; original historical research and publications; the discovery, collection, preservation, and exhibition of artifacts; and the presentation and dissemination of knowledge on the local history of Arlington County free to the public.

Programs

AHS has programs designed to support our mission including two museums open free to the public:

• • The Arlington Historical Museum is the oldest school house in the county. It is open free year round to the public with exhibits that span Native America through 9/11. The museum also offers quarterly temporary exhibits on special topics in Arlington County history.

• • The Ball-Sellers House, the oldest building in the county (c. 1750), offers a free docent-led tour Saturday afternoons from April through October as well as  summer holidays. This colonial era farm house enables visitors to learn how an average farmer lived and worked and traces Arlington history through the residents who lived there since 1742.

Learn more about our two museums. Monthly programs including dynamic lectures, tours, and special events highlighting aspects of local history. Host an annual banquet with a keynote speaker on a local history topic and awards for  individuals and/or organizations who make exceptional contributions to Arlington history. Publication of the annual Arlington Historical Magazine featuring original research on local history. All contents of issues since 1957 (except the current year) are online, free. The Annual High School Essay Contest for high school students on on a stated theme of Arlington County history. Winners are given countywide publicity and awarded a cash prize; their essay is published in the Arlington Historical Magazine. Collaboration on joint projects with Arlington’s Black Heritage Museum related to the African American experience in the county.