Discover the people who helped shape Arlington. This exhibit highlights early landowners and settlers whose decisions and choices laid the foundation for the county we know today. The Arlington Historical Museum is commemorating 250+ years of local history. This exhibit is upstairs on the 2nd floor of the museum. The Museum is open Saturdays 10-4 […]
Step into the moment Arlington helped shape the nation’s capital. In 1791, surveyors under President George Washington mapped a 100-square-mile federal district along the Potomac River, placing forty sandstone boundary stones; some of which still stand in Arlington today. Learn about the people who surveyed and mapped this land. The Arlington Historical Museum is commemorating 250+ […]
In 1976, Americans celebrated the nation’s 200th anniversary with parades, festivals, and a surge of patriotic memorabilia. From commemorative glassware to toys and keepsakes, these objects brought history into everyday life. This exhibit invites reflection on how the Bicentennial shaped public memory, and how today’s 250th looks toward a more inclusive future.
Join us for a special dedication for Julia Roberts who will be portrayed by an historical reenactor who will talk about her enslavement and courageous path to freedom. We will also learn about the life of the young boy (his name is unknown) enslaved along with Julia in the Arlington Forest neighborhood. Memorializing the Enslaved […]
The Arlington VA250 Committee is hosting an 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, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Kenmore Middle School. “We’re proud to welcome visitors and residents to experience the living legacy of […]
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 mini tour of the Ball-Sellers House (the […]
Explore how Arlington has been governed, and who has held the power to make decisions, over time in Who Decides? Governing Arlington Through Time. This exhibit traces the county’s evolving systems of leadership, from its early days as part of the District of Columbia to its return to Virginia and the development of today’s county […]
The Arlington Historical Society is proud to help celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Charles R. Drew. We’ll have a table, artifacts, a quiz, and lots of info on the man who became known as the Father of the Blood Bank. Find out how an Arlington elementary school appreciates its namesake. Visit our table […]
Join us as we commemorate the lives of those who were enslaved by Basil Hall. This ceremony will take place at the intersection of Langston Boulevard and Cameron Street. 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. […]
Join us as we help the Aurora Hills Library celebrate 100 years! Come celebrate a century of stories, community, and connection! There will be drop-in activities, crafts, historical displays, outdoor activities (weather permitting), and recordings of written and oral memories of the library. The Arlington Historical Society will be on site to present information on […]