Past Events

In Defense of Freedom

Glencarlyn Library 300 S. Kensington Street, Arlington, VA, United States

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 […]

Early Days of the Civil War Defenses of Washington: From Fort Sumter to First Bull Run

Reinsch Library Auditorium, Marymount University 2807 North Glebe Road, Arlington

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 […]

Copyright 2025 Arlington Historical Society. All rights reserved.