15-Minute History: Vice on the Virginia Shore
2025-09-28 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Arlington Historical Museum, 1805 South Arlington Ridge Road, Arlington, 22207, United States
Join us for a brief talk by the author of “Shootout at Jackson City,” George Axiotis, as he describes what life was like living outside the law in Rosslyn and Jackson City at the turn of the previous century, how it came to an end, and what its legacy is in our county today. Stop in for his talk and tour the newly refurbished exhibits throughout the Arlington Historical Museum.

Mt. Olivet Cemetery Tour
2025-09-28 15:00 - 18:00 | Mt. Olivet. United Methodist Church, 1500 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
The cemetery of the oldest church in the county is a museum with no walls. Each of the interred has a story and AHS is partnering with Mt. Olivert United Methodist Church to portray key figures buried in the cemetery. This tour is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the rich history of Arlington, the perseverance of our forebears, and the preserved beauty of this piece of land. Learn about the tussle over land that the church resolved, the role the church played during the Civil War, and key people who were some of Arlington’s early residents, from enslavers to heroes and entrepreneurs.
This event begins with an overview of the history of the church, an introduction to role of slavery in the county, and the Civil War and its impact on the church. Light refreshments will be served during the presentation, courtesy Mt. Olivet Church.
Then go into the cemetery and meet some of the interred. AHS and Mt. Olivet volunteers will portray some of those who are buried in the cemetery and introduce you to some well known and not-so-well-known Arlingtonians. Tombstone rubbings and scavenger hunt for the children makes this a perfect family Sunday afternoon outing.

Webinar: Memorializing the Enslaved of Arlington
2025-09-29 15:00 - 16:30
The lives of Margaret Hyson and her children George and Charlotte – three people enslaved in what is now the Yorktown neighborhood in the 1800s – had previously been unknown. But now, this family’s story will be told to a broader community. Through a partnership between the Arlington Historical Society and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, stumbling stones, six-inch round bronze plaques, engraved with their names and dates of their births and deaths, have been embedded into the sidewalks near the locations where they were enslaved. Many more stumbling stones will be installed throughout the county. Currently, the names of 1,100 enslaved individuals have been identified.
Join us as Jessica Kaplan of the Arlington Historical Society tells us about the origin of this initiative, the research being done, the work of Arlington Tech students to recreate some of the plaques, the response of the community and where to find already embedded stumbling stones.
Advance registration is not required, and this free event is open to all. You may be prompted to enter your name and email address before being admitted to the webinar. Please know that we do not share your information, and we adhere to the library’s privacy policy: https://encorelearning.net/privacy-policy/

This is an Encore Learning Presents event, co-sponsored with the Arlington Public Library. Connect to the presentation online via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84268052749
Or dial in by phone (for audio only): 301-715-8592Meeting ID: 842 6805 2749
This event does not require registration. Simply connect to Zoom just before the event begins. We look forward to seeing you all online! Please email questions to info@encorelearning.net.

AHS is at Causes & Cocktails
2025-10-07 17:30 - 19:00 | Westin Crystal City Reagan National Airport, 1800 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA, 22202, United States
Join us on October 7 from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at the Westin Crystal City for Volunteer Arlington’s Causes & Cocktails! This fun and meaningful networking event brings together civic-minded individuals and community partners who want to be a part of future solutions. The featured cause is education. Come connect and get inspired.
The keynote speaker is: Paula Fynboh, CEO, Aspire Afterschool Learning
Causes & Cocktails is a series of events uniting individuals who care about creating positive change in our community. Attendees can discover important local causes, meet Volunteer Arlington’s partners driving impact, and connect with others who are committed to making a difference.

The events are free to attend. We ask that you register in advance for planning purposes. Register here: https://connect.volunteerarlington.org/event/detail/?event_id=111737
Nonprofit Partners:

Arlington Historical Society
Arlington Public Schools
Aspire Afterschool Learning
Center for Youth & Family Advocacy
Educational Theatre Company
English Empowerment Center
Read Early and Daily (R.E.A.D.)
RISE Mentoring
Rosie Riveters

Supporting Sponsor: National Landing Business Improvement District

Arlington's American Legion Post 194 and Dorie Miller
2025-10-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Aurora Hills Community Center, 735 18th Street, South, Arlington, 22202, United States
In 1946, a group of determined and like-minded individuals set out to establish the American Legion Dorie Miller Post 194 & Auxiliary Unit in Arlington. Their courage to start a new post speaks volumes about who they were and the man the post honors.
The Arlington Historical Society welcomes Former Post Commander Kenneth Powell and Secretary of the Auxiliary, Marjorie Strother of this American Legion Post Auxiliary as they tell the story of how Dorie Miller’s heroic actions aboard the USS West Virginia on December 7, 1941 inspired African American veterans to establish a post honoring the Black Navy Messman even before the US military was desegregated in 1947.
In 2022, Arlington County proclaimed October 12, Dorie Miller Day. The proclamation reads in part:
“Arlington County recognizes the American Legion Dorie Miller Post 194 as an organization of veterans who have dedicated themselves to the service of community, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and our nation; and Whereas, American Legion Post 194 is named after Doris “Dorie” Miller, a U.S. Navy Messman aboard the USS West Virginia during World War II who selflessly and without any hesitation acted heroically during the attack on his vessel at Pearl Harbor in 1941, for which he was awarded the Navy Cross.”
Help us honor the man and the men and women of Post 194 as a prelude to Dorie Miller Day celebrated this year on October 13, 2025 at the Bozman Center (1-3 PM)
NEW LOCATION
AHS is trying out some new locations. This month we will be at the Aurora Hills Community Center located at 735 18th Street, South in Arlington, (zip code: 22202). Parking is still free. Free overflow parking is at the parking lot at Virginia Highlands Park (1600 South Hayes Street) connected by a short sidewalk. Pentagon City Metro is your best public transit bet.
ZOOM REGISTRATION
Zoom Registration: Please register for Zoom access by Wednesday, Oct 8. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfP4UD91sqrLLw5W9Rk6MOxPQn7qiTqiW8rP4AMZYJ_UE9rLA/viewform or cut and paste the link into your browser to complete your registration. On Thursday morning, October 9, the day of the event, AHS volunteer, Martin Suydam, will send you the Zoom registration information in an email, so be on the lookout for it.

15-Minute History: The Ups and Downs of Standing Up for Your Rights in Arlington
2025-10-12 14:00 - 14:30 | Arlington Historical Museum, 1805 South Arlington Ridge Road, Arlington, 22207, United States
Bill Fogarty (Our Man in Arlington for the Falls Church News Press) spotlights protests in Arlington, a review of the civil rights struggles in Arlington in the 1950s followed by a discussion on how these “echoes from the past” might inform civil rights issues today. (2nd Floor, Arlington Historical Museum, 1805 South Arlington Ridge Road)
Bill Fogarty is a retired attorney who has lived and worked in Arlington for more than 40 years and currently serves as a board member for the Leadership Center of Arlington. He has taken up a new avocation of writing and teaching about Arlington history, contributing to the Arlington Historical Society both as a presenter and writer. Bill has taught two Arlington history classes for Encore Learning, and this fall will be teaching another on Arlington history from 1900 to 1930. Bill also writes the weekly “Our Man in Arlington” column for the Falls Church News Press.

Arlington's Political Structure in the 20th Century
2025-10-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Glencarlyn Library, 300 S. Kensington Street, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
Join the Glencarlyn Library and “Our Man in Arlington,” Bill Fogarty, to learn about the evolution of Arlington’s governance structure and its political parties.
Bill Fogarty is a retired attorney who has lived and worked in Arlington for more than 40 years and currently serves as a board member for the Leadership Center of Arlington. He has taken up a new avocation of writing and teaching about Arlington history, contributing to the Arlington Historical Society both as a presenter and writer. Bill has taught two Arlington history classes for Encore Learning, and this fall will be teaching another on Arlington history from 1900 to 1930. Bill also writes the weekly “Our Man in Arlington” column for the Falls Church News Press.
Co-sponsored by the Arlington Historical Society and the Glencarlyn Civic Association.

The Arlington Historical Museum Store is at the Arlington Women's Club Bazaar
2025-10-25 09:00 - 15:00 | Arlington Women’s Club, 700 S Buchanan Street, Arlington, Virginia, 22204
The Arlington Historical Museum Store is excited to once again be a part of the Arlington Women’s Club Annual Bazaar. Visit our table to buy unique books for kids and adults alike, history-based toys and games, keepsakes, and even jewelry!
Every purchase at our table helps support the AHS mission to strengthen our community by improving the understanding of local history.
Cash, check, or charge!

Memorializing the Enslaved of Arlington: Dedication in Lyon Village
2025-10-26 16:00 - 17:00 | 1412 North Highland Street, 1412 North Highland Street, Arlington, VA, 22201, United States
The Arlington Historical Society and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington invite you to the unveiling of a “Stumbling Stone.” This bronze marker commemorates the life of an enslaved woman who helped build our county (and our country). Each marker is placed in the sidewalk at the last known location where the enslaved person lived. Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington’s research has revealed over 2750 enslaved people and identified 1050 by name.
Please join us for the Dedication Ceremony honoring an enslaved individual whose name is unknown but that know was born in approximately 1835.
Her Story
A girl around the age of 15, whose name we cannot ascertain, was enslaved by Robert and Catherine Cruit and later their heir, Susan Cruit. According to tax and census records, from 1850 to 1860, the Cruit’s enslaved two to six other people during this period. We have honored two of them, Humphrey Alfred and Priscilla Willis, in the past and others will be honored in the future.
Robert Cruit, a Georgetown resident, bought property in what is now Arlington in 1847 as a second home. The Cruit farmhouse still stands today at 1614 North Highland Street. Robert used enslaved laborers to operate his dairy farming operation. It is very likely that the young woman we are honoring worked as a dairymaid, milking cows and tending to their needs. She may also have fed and tended other livestock.
In May of 1853, an enslaved female named Matilda fled the Cruit household. She was apprehended by the law and spent three days in the DC “Blue Jug” Jail before being returned to the Cruit’s. This might be the young woman we are honoring, but there is no way to verify this.
Enslaved people in Arlington remained in bondage until the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Perhaps this young woman was freed then.
Join us as we celebrate and honor an unknown woman and gain a greater understanding of Arlington’s complicated past. Brief remarks will be offered.
Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington seeks to shed light upon these early Americans who contributed so much to the economic, social, and cultural development of our county.
For more information, please contact Jessica Kaplan from the Arlington Historical Society at ahsedlink@gmail.com.

Bolivian Mast'aku for Dia de Todo Santos
2025-11-01 10:00 - 2025-11-02 16:00 | Arlington Historical Museum, 1805 South Arlington Ridge Road, Arlington, 22207, United States
We are excited to welcome Julia Garcia to the museum to share the Bolivian traditions of Day of the Dead with a traditional mast’aku (quecha, or ceremonial) table. The table will be set with all of the traditional elements of Bolivia’s Dia de Todos Santos (The Day of All Saints). Learn about tantawawas – bread dolls that are always present and why there are three levels to each table. Ms. Garcia will also share how these traditions are still continued in the Bolivian community in Arlington today. Join us and bring a picture or memento of your loved ones to add to our community ofrenda.

Free and open to all. Gratis y abierto a todo publico.

The mast’aku will be open Saturday 11/1 from 10-4 and Sunday 11/2 from 1-4pm.

Memorializing the Enslaved Stumbling Stone Dedications in November
2025-11-01 15:00 - 2025-11-15 00:00
The Black Heritage Museum of Arlington and AHS invite you to the unveiling of “Stumbling Stones.” These bronze markers commemorate the lives of the enslaved people who helped build our county (and our country). The markers are placed in the sidewalk at the last known location where these enslaved people lived. Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington’s research has revealed over 2700 enslaved people and identified 1050 by name.
In November we will be dedicating four “Stumbling Stones.”

November 1 @ 3 PM North Highlands/Dawson Terrace: North Taft and 21 Street
November 8 @ 4 PM Douglas Park: South Quincy and 16th Streets
November 9 @ 1 PM Green Valley: Lomax AME Zion Church, 2704 South 24th Road
November 15 @ 10 AM Lyon Park: North Garfield and 4th Street

Come and learn their stories and commemorate their contributions to build our county and our country.
Learn more at https://enslavedarl.org/s/memorializing-the-enslaved-in-arlington/page/about

15 Minute History: "Where did the name come from?" Let's Talk About Clarendon
2025-11-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Arlington Historical Museum, 1805 South Arlington Ridge Road, Arlington, 22207, United States
Sean Denniston, AHS Vice President, will talk about the history of Clarendon, one of Arlington’s most interesting neighborhoods. He’ll talk about its start as a development of six streets, its dash for independence, growth as a commercial center, and today’s mixed use, walkable, and transit friendly neighborhood. And what’s with the name??

Museum Store Sunday: Shop with Purpose this Holiday Season
2025-11-30 13:00 - 16:00
Consider shopping small this season and visit the Arlington Historical Museum shop on Museum Store Sunday. Every purchase supports our mission to strengthen our community by building a better understanding of local history. We have unique gift ideas made by local artisans, as well as gift memberships to the Arlington Historical Society and books about Arlington history.
Local Ceramic Artist Jessica Kaplan’s work will be available for purchase. Hope to see you at the museum!

Women of the Ball-Sellers House
2025-12-28 15:00 - 16:30 | Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Rd, Burke, VA 22015, Burke, VA, 22015, United States
The Ball-Sellers House (in Arlington) was originally in Fairfax County when Lord Fairfax established the county for King George II in 1742. The Arlington Historical Society will share stories of the exceptional women who owned this farmhouse throughout its 280-year history. We’ll learn about Elizabeth Payne Ball, the wife of the builder who took a man to court to sue for her inheritance; Irene Young, a suffragist and divorcee’ when society viewed divorce as ALWAYS being the woman’s fault; and Julia Powell, one of the first women who enlisted in the US Navy in WWI. We can’t help but also talk about Marian Sellers, her life and her legacy at the house. Join us for a unique look at special women in our shared county history on the eve of the 250th Commemoration of the Declaration of Independence. This is a free event and open to the public. Our speaker is Annette Benbow, the director of the Ball-Sellers House Museum since 2012.

1946 Arlington: The First Crack in the Byrd Machine
2026-01-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Reinsch Library Auditorium, Marymount University, 2807 North Glebe Road, Arlington
In 1946, after four years of a world war, the citizens of Arlington focused on local challenges, highlighted in the fall by an aggressive County Board campaign from a political newcomer who challenged the local Byrd Machine in Arlington. The story includes a controversy over our governance structure, extreme unhappiness with the school system, and an election that eventually led to the creation of a new non-partisan political machine that would control Arlington politics for decades.
This is a timely topic as the county board discusses changes in its governance structure. Find out for yourself, its historical foundations.
Bill Fogarty is a retired attorney who has lived and worked in Arlington for more than 40 years. He has taken up a new avocation of writing and teaching about Arlington history, contributing to the Arlington Historical Society both as a presenter and writer. Bill also writes the weekly “Our Man in Arlington” column for the Falls Church News Press.
We are back this month at the Marymount University Library Auditorium.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS and FREE PARKING: Attendees planning to attend the event in-person should enter the Marymount University campus at the library gate on N. 26th Street. From Glebe Road going north, take a right onto 26th Street. Pass the intersection with Yorktown Road and then enter the campus through the next gate on your left. The library is to your left as you enter the campus. Free garage parking is just past the library at the bottom of the small incline. (Handicapped parking is immediately to your right as you enter through the gate onto campus.)

If the university has lowered the garage gates, push the button and let them know you’re here for an Arlington Historical Society event in the library. To leave, push the button and they’ll raise the gate.

ZOOM AVAILABLE: If you can’t be there in person, you can zoom in, but you must register by the end of Wednesday, January 7, 2026 to get the zoom information. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4GrBjd3h9nX94KQJI8PGVvJIMWQo9CD7RrKUn_-MeiH_lsQ/viewform You’ll get an email on the morning of the event (Jan 8, 2026) with Zoom details.
This event is one of the monthly series of free public programs sponsored by the Arlington Historical Society. This event is hosted courtesy of the Marymount University politics program’s American Heritage Initiative. For more information, please email: info@arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

15-Minute History: 1961 Arlington Transportation Planning with David Pearson
2026-01-18 14:00 - 14:30 | Arlington Historical Museum, 1805 South Arlington Ridge Road, Arlington, 22207, United States
Join David Pearson, former AHS president, to learn about how Arlington County planned transportation in the early 1960s and what we now have as a result. Our speaker will use the maps in the current Map Exhibit on the second floor to explain the first General Land Use Plan (GLUP), show what was built, paths not taken, and a bridge too far.
FREE! Come for the talk, stay to tour the museum.
2nd floor, Arlington Historical Museum

A Different Look from a Different View Artist Exhibit: Opening Reception
2026-02-01 13:00 - 16:00 | Arlington Historical Museum, 1805 South Arlington Ridge Road, Arlington, 22207, United States
Experience the vibrant, story-filled work of artist Zane Killgo, an Arlington County visual artist whose bold use of color and mixed media explores community, identity, and the changing urban landscape.
Killgo’s paintings and multimedia works reflect the narratives of local neighborhoods in transition, focusing on gentrification, resilience, and the lived experiences of the people who shape our cities. His dynamic style blends acrylic paint, textiles, photography, printmaking, and digital media, creating powerful visual statements that bridge tradition and contemporary culture.
Zane Killgo is a longtime resident of Hall’s Hill and his art is inspired by the people, the community and its transitions.

Sunday, February 1, 1-4 PM, for the opening reception to meet the artist. light refreshments served
Sunday, February 15, 2 PM, Artist Talk
Saturday, March 28, Closing Reception, light refreshments served

Unbroken Genius: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Charles R. Drew
2026-02-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Reinsch Library Auditorium, Marymount University, 2807 North Glebe Road, Arlington
“Genius Unbroken” is the first comprehensive biography to bring the extraordinary life of Dr. Charles Drew, the “Father of the Blood Bank,” into focus. Born into Washington D.C.’s vibrant African American community at the turn of the 20th century, Drew rose on the strength of extraordinary physical and intellectual talents to become a groundbreaking medical research scientist. He lived in Arlington and he and his wife raised their children here. He pioneered methods of blood and plasma storage, leading America’s first large-scale blood bank: innovations that continue to save lives around the world. A gifted surgeon and educator, Drew also became an eloquent and powerful advocate of civil rights, especially equal health care, for African Americans. Tragically, while still a young man, he lost his life while travelling to a medical conference that provided free care to indigent patients.
Researched and developed through a close collaboration with Drew’s daughter, Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis, Miller encapsulates the life of Dr. Drew in a profound exploration of one man’s challenge to institutional barriers in creating lasting change. The story of Dr. Drew’s seminal and life-saving work while his life offers an enduring lesson in resilience, intellectual triumph, and the transformative power of unwavering determination.
Craig A. Miller, MD is a vascular surgeon educated at Northwestern University, Ohio State, and the University of California in San Francisco. He is the author of four books focused on the history of medicine and science. He has received many awards and accolades for his work in research and clinical medicine, as well as in scientific history and biography. He is an attending vascular surgeon with the United States Veterans Administration and lives in Ohio.
Charlene Drew Jarvis is the daughter of Dr. Charles Drew, was the noted blood bank pioneer. She earned her B.A. from Oberlin College, her masters at Howard University and he Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. She was a research scientist at the National Institute of Mental Health, then was elected to the City Council of the District of Columbia, where she served for 21 years. There, she introduced legislation that brought in the Convention Center and the MCI Center to the city. In 1996, Jarvis was named president of Southeastern University in Washington, D.C., the first woman to hold the position. She gave up her seat on the City Council in 2000 to devote her energies solely to the university. Jarvis has received numerous honors for community service and she is a past chair of the DC Chamber of Commerce.
BOOK FOR SALE. This book is available for purchase in the AHS online Museum Store. If you order it after February 5 and want to have it at the Feb 12 event, save your receipt and pick up the book at the event. We’ll reimburse you the shipping fee at the event. You can also buy the book at the Arlington Historical Society Museum Shop (1805 South Arlington Ridge Road, Saturdays from 10-4 and Sundays 1-4 PM). Versions for children and teens are also available.

Children’s version: “Charles Drew: The Doctor Who Got the World Pumped Up to Donate Blood” by Mike Venezia
Teen version: “The Life of Dr. Charles Drew: Blood Bank Innovator” by Anne Schraf

This February 2026 event will be held at the Marymount University Library Auditorium and via Zoom.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS and FREE PARKING: Attendees planning to attend the event in-person should enter the Marymount University campus at the library gate on N. 26th Street. From Glebe Road going north, take a right onto 26th Street. Pass the intersection with Yorktown Road and then enter the campus through the next gate on your left. The library is to your left as you enter the campus. Free garage parking is just past the library at the bottom of the small incline. (Handicapped parking is immediately to your right as you enter through the gate onto campus.)

If the university has lowered the garage gates, push the button and let them know you’re here for an Arlington Historical Society event in the library. To leave, push the button and they’ll raise the gate.

ZOOM AVAILABLE: If you can’t be there in person, you can zoom in, but you must register by the end of Wednesday, February 11, 2026 to get the zoom information. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNUc-hv8mbWr61aOhTZy3dMbVRO2E7E5Srn1FKf7JhD6j_3g/viewform
You’ll get an email on the morning of the event (Feb 12, 2026) with Zoom details.
This event is in celebration of Black History Month and is one of the monthly series of free public programs sponsored by the Arlington Historical Society. This event is hosted courtesy of the Marymount University politics program’s American Heritage Initiative. For more information, please email: info@arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

Butterfield's Brigade at Mount Olivet Church
2026-02-22 15:00 - 16:30 | Mt. Olivet. United Methodist Church, 1500 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
Completed just before the Civil War, by the end of the conflict’s first year Mount Olivet Church’s original structure was reduced to its foundations, variously used and abused by the United States Army as – possibly– a hospital, storehouse, picket post, and stable. Cherrydale neighbor and local historian Michael Schaffner will explore the likely actual uses of the building before focusing on the soldiers camped nearby from September 1861 till May 1862. Their story reveals surprising connections to some of the war’s great battles, the United States Colored Troops, and the Army’s early efforts at graves registration.
This is an in-person only event at Mount Olivet Methodist Church. Please let us know you are coming so we know how big a room to prepare: HERE or cut and paste the following link into your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWynNI1kDWyguZzFcue16H7E3XrPXj-vLLwa3pXbzfM14CQg/viewform?usp=dialog
This is a free event. Parking is plentiful and also free.
The Arlington Historical Society is proud to partner with Mount Olivet Church, Arlington’s oldest church and help share their rich history with the community as part of the county’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Image: Oliver Willcox Norton of the 83rd Pennsylvania (camped near the church) in the fancy French uniform the regiment received for their performance on the drill ground. He would soon become brigade bugler, later help General Butterfield compose “Taps,” and ultimately receive a commission in the 8th USCT.

Dark Star Park and the Birth of Arlington's Public Art Program
2026-03-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Reinsch Library Auditorium, Marymount University, 2807 North Glebe Road, Arlington
Arlington Historical Society presents Nancy Holt’s Dark Star Park (1979 –1984) and the birth of Arlington’s Public Art Program. AHS hosts Angela A. Adams, Founding Director of Arlington Public Art as she discusses the creation, stewardship, and legacy of Nancy Holt’s Dark Star Park and how it inspired a more than 40-year commitment to public art as placemaking. Her presentation includes screening of Holt’s film: “Art in the Public Eye: The Making of Dark Star Park.”
Angela Anderson Adams has worked as a curator and arts administrator for four decades, serving most of those as Founding Director of Arlington Public Art. Under her leadership, Arlington County’s public art program grew from one of the first developer-sponsored programs in the country to an internationally-renowned, award-winning public and privately funded program that contributes art and design enhancements to most major civic projects undertaken in the County, including buildings, parks and open space as well as infrastructure.
Adams previously served as Adjunct Curator at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC, and Exhibitions Director/Curator for the Museum of Contemporary Art, Arlington. She holds a B.A. in Art History from the College of Wooster, Ohio, and a M.A. in the History of Art from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Adams was born and raised in Washington, DC, and Frederick, MD. Currently she splits her time between south central Vermont and Arlington’s Clarendon-Courthouse neighborhood, serves as Vice President of the Holt/Smithson Foundation and offers mentorship and consultation to the public art field.
LOCATION
We’re back at the Reinsch Library Auditorium at Marymount University’s Main Campus
DRIVING DIRECTIONS and FREE PARKING: Attendees planning to attend the event in-person should enter the Marymount University campus at the library gate on N. 26th Street. From Glebe Road going north, take a right onto 26th Street. Pass the intersection with Yorktown Road and then enter the campus through the next gate on your left. The library is to your left as you enter the campus. Free garage parking is just past the library at the bottom of the small incline. (Handicapped parking is immediately to your right as you enter through the gate onto campus.)

If the university has lowered the garage gates, push the button and let them know you’re here for an Arlington Historical Society event in the library. To leave, push the button and they’ll raise the gate.

ZOOM REGISTRATION
ZOOM AVAILABLE: If you can’t be there in person, you can zoom in, but you must register by the end of Wednesday, March 11. Click HERE to register or cut and paste this link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHFkAeOxdCX2RXCUZVe05H1RzJ5FVYZU8WoXqb3uSEMFlkeg/viewform into your browser to complete your registration. On Thursday morning, Mar 12, the day of the event, AHS volunteer, Martin Suydam, will send you the Zoom registration information in an email, so be on the lookout for it.
This event is in celebration of Women’s History Month and is one of the monthly series of free public programs sponsored by the Arlington Historical Society. This event is hosted courtesy of the Marymount University politics program’s American Heritage Initiative. For more information, please email: info@arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

Handmade History Day: Ball-Sellers House Special Event
2026-04-04 13:00 - 16:00 | Ball-Sellers House, 5620 3rd Street, South, Arlington VA 22204, VA, 22312, United States
The Ball-Sellers House Museum season opening day welcomes you to explore how colonial Virginia made things we now buy. This c. 1750 farmhouse will host demonstrations and “do-it-yourself” experience. From A-Z including pottery, textiles, woodworking, and more.
The event is from 1-4, but don’t miss re-enactor Sandy Newton’s talk about how colonial America used nature to make colorful textiles.
Light refreshments served.
Free tours of the house and grounds.
The Ball-Sellers House is a captivating historical site near the heart of Arlington. Built c. 1750, this farmhouse is the oldest structure in Arlington County. It offers a unique glimpse into the life and times of the 18th century. The Ball-Sellers House is not just a museum; it is a living history experience where you can learn about the challenges and triumphs faced by those who lived in this home.
The house is a testament to the region’s rich history and showcases the lifestyle of early American settlers. Visitors can explore the well-preserved structure, which features original architectural elements and period furnishings that transport you back in time. As you walk through the rooms, knowledgeable guides share intriguing stories and insights about the house’s inhabitants and the historical significance of the property.
The house is a testament to the region’s rich history and showcases the lifestyle of early American settlers. Visitors can explore the well-preserved structure, which features original architectural elements and period furnishings that transport you back in time. As you walk through the rooms, knowledgeable guides share intriguing stories and insights about the house’s inhabitants and the historical significance of the property.
This event is one of the Arlington Historical Society’s events commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It would have been one of the only remaining buildings where the Declaration could have been heard being proclaimed in 1776.
This event is FREE and open to the public.

Arlington HistoryFest 250
2026-05-09 10:00 - 17:00 | Kenmore MIddle School, 200 S. Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
The Arlington VA250 Committee has announced plans for Arlington HistoryFest 250, a free, one-day outdoor festival commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. It will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Kenmore Middle School.
“We’re proud to welcome visitors and residents to experience the living legacy of Arlington’s role in America’s founding,” said Peter Vaselopulos, President of the Arlington Historical Society and Chair of the Arlington VA250 Committee. “Arlington HistoryFest 250 is great fun for the whole family. It kicks off a multi-month commemoration, connecting our County’s roots to the modern day, showcasing how Arlington is a place where history lives on.”
Programming will feature live reenactments, musical performances, and historical storytelling, hands-on demonstrations, children’s activities and crafts, and local food vendors. Thousands of attendees from across the Washington, D.C., area are expected, along with dozens of historical reenactors and over 40 exhibitors.
“Arlington HistoryFest 250 is a unique opportunity for students to participate in the 250th anniversary of America and see themselves in the national story through immersive experiences, dynamic storytelling, and a deeper appreciation of Arlington’s local history,” said David MacBride, Principal at Kenmore Middle School.
“As we commemorate the 250th, we’re excited to offer new ways for visitors and locals to connect with Arlington’s history and explore the County,” said Scott Baker, Marketing Manager at Arlington Convention and Visitors Service. “We are thrilled to support programming that highlights Arlington’s historical significance, amplifies diverse stories, and enhances the visitor experience at historic sites across Arlington.”
Support for Arlington HistoryFest 250 is provided through a Virginia Humanities Grant.
Admission: Free
For More information: https://arlhist.org/arlington-va250/
or email AHS at: info@arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org
