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Enslavement

Memorializing the Enslaved In Arlington

African Americans made important contributions to the development of Arlington County since the late 1700s. Until recently, histories of Arlington often excluded or misrepresented their stories.

Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington (MEA), a project sponsored by the Arlington Historical Society and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, brings our county’s African American history to light. Research into local records reveals the brutal truth of local enslavement in Arlington, the human cost of enslavement for all involved as well as the fortitude and resilience of the local enslaved community.

MEA honors the lives and contributions of Arlington’s once enslaved people by placing memorial plaques throughout the county at sites of enslavement.

History of Enslavement in Arlington

Stories

Read about the struggles and triumphs of several enslaved men and women from Arlington. Put yourselves in their shoes and explore how enslavement shaped their opportunities; journey with those who made the transition to freedom.

Story Maps

Explore the geography of enslavement in Arlington.

  • Routes of Resilience

  • Map of Arlington’s Enslavers

  • Plantations

Research Data

Examine the data collected in our research on the lives of Arlington’s enslaved people. Find names, vital information, locations of enslavement, and possibly an ancestor.

In The News

Learn about MEA’s efforts to place “stumbling stones” at places of enslavement throughout Arlington. Follow the progress of the project through recent news articles.

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The Arlington Historical Society relies solely on membership dues and donations to support the Arlington Historical Museum and Ball-Sellers House.

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The Arlington Historical Museum
1805 S Arlington Ridge Rd, Arlington, VA 22202
703-892-4204
Open Saturday, Sunday 1-4 pm
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The Ball-Sellers House
5620 3rd St S, Arlington, VA 22204
703-577-7042
Open Saturday 1-4 pm
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Contact Us

E-mail us: info@arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org
Call us: 703-892-4204

Arlington Historical Society
P.O. Box 100402
Arlington, Virginia 22210-3402

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