At the start of the Civil War in 1861, Arlington was at the center of a significant military conflict. It witnessed many minor skirmishes and military actions. The county's strategic location required Union soldiers to build fortifications known as the "Arlington Line" to protect the capital, Washington. However, these forts and camps had another unintended […]
During our 2025 season (April through October) the Ball-Sellers House will celebrate the 50th anniversary of becoming a free public museum and we are planning a series of commemorative events at the house starting with our opening day on Saturday, April 5 at 1:00 pm. The Ball-Sellers House is hosting the Early American music group, Bedlam, […]
The Arlington Historical Society and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington 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 […]
Have you ever looked at maps and wondered why the boundary line between Virginia and Maryland on the Potomac River is so odd? It is not in the middle of the river, like it is in most places, and it doesn't really follow the curves of one shoreline or the other. Michael Nardolilli, the Executive […]
The Arlington Historical Society/Ball-Sellers House is partnering with the Glencarlyn Library Garden to celebrate gardening. We are in TWO locations for this fun event: The Ball-Sellers House at 5620 3rd St., South, 10 - 4 Glencarlyn Library at 300 S. Kensington St. South, 10 - 3 At the Ball-Sellers House you'll see how colonial gardeners […]
Come rediscover our local history at the Arlington Historical Museum! After closing last summer for preservation and renovation work, we reopen on May 3 at 10:00 AM with the debut of all-new exhibits. You'll also have an opportunity at 1:00 PM to hear from local author Barbara Noe Kennedy, author of “100 Things to Do […]
The Arlington Historical Society and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington 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 Arlington Historical Society will hold its annual meeting of members on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be held BOTH on Zoom and in person at the Reinsch Library Auditorium on the main campus of Marymount University. If you are a member and plan to attend by Zoom, please register […]
Arlington was key to the defenses of Washington during the Civil War. Bryan Cheeseboro will describe the threats to the Capital City that spurred building the ring of defenses—inside DC and in Virginia. The Civil War Defenses of Washington (CWDW) were composed of 68 forts and 93 batteries. But this was the strength of the […]
Walk in the footsteps of George Washington on a guided walking tour with local historian, Kevin Vincent. In 1775, George Washington bought 1200-acres of forest in what is now Arlington. After the Revolutionary War, he returned home and surveyed his property. On the walk you’ll start with a tour of the Ball-Sellers House (the oldest […]
