Located within Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington House is a Greek revival-style mansion located in Arlington, Virginia. Faithfully restored and appearing as it did when it was the home of the person who would lead the Confederacy against the United States in the Civil War, it preserves the history associated with the area and era to allow audiences to truly experience both in a meaningful way.
Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial
Constructed between 1808 and 1818, what is officially known as Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, was originally built as a place to display a large collection of George Washington heirlooms and memorabilia. Robert E. Lee, who commanded the Confederate Army during the Civil War, would eventually inherit it.
After Virginia seceded from the United States in 1861, Lee and his wife left the house, which was then occupied by the U.S. Army. The federal government would eventually confiscate the estate and conduct military burials on the Arlington property. The first burial took place in 1864, defining what would become Arlington National Cemetery. Agreements with Lee’s descendants allowed the cemetery to expand its mission to serve as a burial ground for U.S. service members and their families.
The War Department began restoration of the mansion in 1925 while the National Park Service took over management of the building in 1933. In 1955, the United States Congress formally recognized the restored home as a national memorial to Robert E. Lee. In 1966 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, further defining the importance of the landmark to the community. As part of this development, the history that it contains was actively preserved to enable experiences with it in a way that carries over into the present.
Experiencing the Whole Story that Arlington House Contains
The National Park Service interprets not only the history of Robert E. Lee and his family but also the stories of the enslaved people who lived at the site to present a more complete story of life at Arlington House. The house was furnished and interpreted to the period of Robert E. Lee but recent renovations have been dedicated to detailing the stories of the enslaved people who worked in it.
No longer a static monument to a single person, Arlington House is now a living memorial, with the creation of various interpretive tools that include the many African Americans and their families. While Lee’s accounts and possessions have been meticulously preserved and are on display across the location, the restored the home, slave quarters and grounds have space that is dedicated to the long-term legacies of the enslaved inhabitants as well. The site contains thousands of historic objects, antiques and reproductions, including several artifacts associated with African American history.
Tickets are required to enter the house. Visitors can schedule tours or walk through the house at their own pace. The Arlington House bookstore is located on the north end of the property next to the museum. Proceeds from sales support Arlington House and other National Parks.
The impact of Arlington House on the community be seen in many different ways, as the name of Arlington County was chosen to reflect the presence of the Arlington estate. Additionally, in 1983, Arlington House became part of the official symbol of the city of Arlington. Its image adorns the county’s seal, flag, website stationery as well as on police cars and government mail.
Overlooking the Potomac River and the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Arlington House provides incredible views of the area. These views along with the history and connection to Arlington National Cemetery mean that the site would always be significant regardless of whether or not the mansion still resided in it. However, the active effort to preserve this piece of history and expand the experiences audiences can have with it have defined an entirely new legacy that connects the past with the future of the site and nation.
The Legacy of a Living Piece of History
As the most visited historic house in the national park system with over 650,000 visitors on an annual basis, Arlington House is a living piece of history. It provides context for American values ranging from service to sacrifice to freedom, interpretations of which will continue to change and evolve. Because of the efforts to preserve the history that the Arlington House contains, visitors in the present and future will continue to be able to experience all of these values to make sense of them for themselves and the times they’re living in.
