FEATURED Archives - Arlington Historical Society

When Jessica mentioned that one enslaved woman went to court to sue for her freedom, and that her case went all the way to the US Supreme Court, I asked her for more information. In March 2025, Jessica obliged with links to the court documents and two articles on Julia Roberts v. Austin Adams and Anne Harding. AHS Board member (and lawyer) Sean Denniston gave me further guidance on locating legal documents online.

Building Minds, Shaping Futures Exhibit

April 27, 2026

The innovative exhibit allows visitors to step into Arlington’s classrooms, past and present, exploring the history of public education in the county.

Building Minds, Shaping Futures

April 14, 2026

The innovative exhibit allows visitors to step into Arlington’s classrooms, past and present, exploring the history of public education in the county.

Virginia History Affiliates program.

March 31, 2026

The Arlington Historical Society announces they have joined the newly launched Virginia History Affiliates program. Organized and funded by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC), the professional museum collective is designed to connect historical sites, history museums, and related organizations of all sizes from across the Commonwealth.

Restoring the Capital Vision

February 21, 2026

In 1791, Pierre Charles L'Enfant unveiled his ambitious plan for a new federal city along the Potomac River. He envisioned wide avenues, expansive vistas, and grand public spaces. His design for Washington, D.C., was never fully realized. Its monumental landscape developed incrementally - through pauses, revisions, debates, and renewed commitments.

Arlington’s Bicentennial Celebration

February 20, 2026

The county’s Bicentennial parade—hailed as the largest in Northern Virginia—featured 107 entrants. It stepped off at 10 a.m. along North George Mason Drive, led by police motorcycles and closed by sheriff’s deputies on horseback. Bands, veterans, civic groups, and neighborhood organizations filled the route, turning the morning into a vivid display of community pride.

Zane Killgo

January 14, 2026

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Arlington County, Killgo’s artistic practice explores the complex narratives of changing neighborhoods, with a particular focus on gentrification, displacement, and community resilience. Drawing on personal experience and deep engagement with diverse communities, his work captures the lived realities of the African-American community and other voices often marginalized in discussions about urban change.

Wish Wall

July 11, 2025

As we approach America’s 250th birthday in 2026, we invite you to reflect on what kind of future you hope to see for our country.

Museum Reopens

April 11, 2025

The Arlington Historical Society (AHS) Museum, after closing last summer for essential preservation and renovation work, reopened on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

AHS is going Batty

Julia Sues for Freedom: