On the eve of the nation’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Arlington Historical Society will host its annual banquet on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Army Navy Country Club. The evening will bring together historians, AHS members, community leaders, and Arlington residents to reflect on how both local and national museums are telling America’s story.
Keynote Speaker
The evening’s featured guest speaker will be Dr. Benjamin Filene, Deputy Director for Public History at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Dr. Filene will talk about how museums across the country are engaging the public in new and meaningful conversations about the 250th Anniversary of the United States and our shared heritage.
During the banquet, the society will present the Cornelia B. Rose, Jr. Award to Stephen Hammond, who has been instrumental in forming a Family Circle of descendants connected to Arlington House and its history. This includes the Custis/Lee and once enslaved families. Their goal is “to work on healing and repair.”
“This year’s banquet is especially meaningful as we approach America’s Semiquincentennial,” said Peter Vaselopulos, AHS president. “By honoring national voices like Dr. Filene and local historians like Stephen Hammond, we highlight the vital work being done to preserve and share stories that shape our collective history.”
Tickets
The public is cordially invited to the gala. Tickets can be purchased through October 3rd at arlhist.org/annual-banquet/ or contact the Arlington Historical Society banquet coordinator at apscathy@gmail.com.
