As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, we reflect on the stories and places that have shaped its history. Arlington, a community with deep roots in the American narrative, has witnessed some significant moments that contributed to the story of our nation. For this contest, identify what […]
Join us for a reading of an original play about the oldest structure in the county, the Ball-Sellers House, a farmhouse built around 1750. Washington Liberty grads, Layla Johnson and Matteo Hope researched, written, produced, and directed this play in 2024 for their high school and now will produce it at the Ball-Sellers House to […]
Join us as we commemorate the lives of Con and Killemasce, who were enslaved by John Hurst in the 1760s. Since the late 1700s, African Americans made important contributions to the development of Arlington County. Until recently, histories of Arlington often excluded or misrepresented their stories. Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington (MEA), a project sponsored […]
The Arlington Historical Society is joining George Mason University for the Fall 2025 Welcome Fair. We'll be helping to build a stronger community by sharing info on our diverse history and encouraging incoming freshmen to GMU of ways they can become more involved in their community. We'll be encouraging volunteerism, letting the students know about […]
Join us as we welcome author and historian Dr. Zachary Schrag for a discussion of the development of the Metro and its impact on Arlington. He is the author of "The Great Society Subway: A History of the Washington Metro." Dr. Schrag scrutinizes the project from its earliest days and will focus on Arlington, its […]
Join us for a brief talk about Irene Ottillie Young, an owner of the house who was also a suffragist and fought for the right to vote for women. Annette Benbow, director of the Ball-Sellers House, will talk about why Mrs. Young was unique, her role as a suffragist, and how we know about her. […]
AHS is helping Clarendon celebrate its history at Clarendon Day. Come by our table and get a free "Souvenir Guide from the 1915 Northern VIrginia Exposition." Stay for a story or two about Clarendon and Arlington history, plus a tabletop exhibit of artifacts and a history trivia quiz. Clarendon Day is touted as Arlington’s most […]
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 […]
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 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 […]