Because of Virginia’s neutrality during the early phases of the secession crisis, Federal leadership had avoided sending cartographers into Arlington and Alexandria so as not to give the appearance of a pretext to war and invasion. Virgil P. Corbett (1827–1875), a local farmer, lawyer, politician, inventor, and businessman who called Arlington home, saw an opportunity to create a map for the government.

Originally from New York, Corbett is perhaps best known for creating some of the first maps of what we now call Arlington County and its surrounding areas during the Civil War, including Sketch of the Seat of War in Alexandria & Fairfax Counties (1861) and his Map of the Seat of War Showing the Battles of July 18th and 21st, 1861 (1861).

The Arlington Historical Society and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington will be unveiling the first of a series of "Stumbling Stones." These bronze markers commemorate the lives of the enslaved people who helped build our county (and our country).