Arlington (Va.) Historical Society

Arlington Historical Society (photo of Arlington Historical Museum)

Photo Above:
Arlington Historical Museum, formerly the Hume School.

Join the Arlington Historical Society

Board - Officers, Directors, and Committee Chairs

Learn about events and places in Arlington’s history

Visit the Arlington Historical Museum

Visit the Ball-Sellers House

Scan our Snapshots of history

Visit the Sites and properties

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Check out the Links to resources

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Board Meeting Schedule
Next Meeting - Tues., June 17, 7pm
1805 S. Arlington Ridge Rd.
Arlington, VA 22202

Under the Society's Bylaws, AHS Board of Directors meetings are open to all members. Since the date is sometimes changed, however, it's best to check with a Board member before showing up for a meeting.

The Arlington Historical Society (AHS), founded in September 1956, is a non-profit organization incorporated under the laws of Virginia and operated for literary and educational purposes that support research, collection, preservation, discovery, restoration and dissemination of the local history of Arlington County, Virginia.

Arlington County, Virginia — an urban area of about 26 square miles located directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. — was home to American Indian communities for more than 10,000 years and associated with major events in Virginia history for almost 400 years. Arlington is still a county, with no incorporated cities or towns within its boundaries.

History and Heritage Events in Arlington County

May

CIVIL WAR FORTS VAN TOUR: FORTS OF NORTH ARLINGTON
Saturday, May 3
9:00 a.m. - Noon
Ages 10 to adult. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Union fortifications in North Arlington were built to protect Washington and the bridges across the Potomac River. The program begins at Fort. C.F. Smith and will travel by van to Forts Bennett, Ethan Allen and finally Fort Marcy in Fairfax County. Learn about the men and equipment stationed at the forts and the reasons behind each fort’s location. Dress for the weather. Walking will be on mostly flat unpaved surfaces. For more information: 703-243-4342. A program of the Arlington County Conservation & Interpretation Section. $10 fee per person due at the park on the day of the program. Registration required, register on-line or call 703-228-4747. Register children and adults. Program # 633120D
Location: Meet at Fort C. F. Smith Park, 2411 N. 24th St., Arlington, VA 22207.

CIVIL WAR DISCOVERIES: ARTILLERY (For Kids)
Wednesday, May 14
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Ages 7-11. Learn to work as a team to load and aim a replica Civil War cannon. We’ll discuss various artillery pieces used during the War and "bombard" a replica fortification. For more information: 703-243-4342. A program of the Arlington County Conservation & Interpretation Section. $3 fee per child due at the park on the day of the program. Registration required, register on-line or call 703-228-4747. Program # 633120E
Location: Meet at Fort C. F. Smith Park, 2411 N. 24th St., Arlington, VA 22207.

ARLINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERS DINNER
Saturday, May 17
6:00 p.m.
AHS members are invited to attend our 2008 Members Dinner, celebrating 100 years of aviation in Arlington. The banquet speaker is Ken Hyde, founder of The Wright Experience, pilot, and builder of full-size reproductions of Wright Brothers aircraft for the Smithsonian Institution and other museums. Hyde will discuss the Wright Brothers' demonstration flights for the US Army Signal Corps at Fort Myer in 1908 and 1909, which laid the foundation for military aviation.
Cost: $17 per person; Please pay at the door (check or cash) or mail your check payable to Arlington Historical Society to: PO Box 100402, Arlington, VA 22210-3402
Please RSVP by May 10 to Tom Dempsey, 703-408-4636 or tedempsey@yahoo.com
Location: Cherrydale Methodist Church Social Hall, 3701 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, VA

GETTYSBURG BATTLEFIELD TOUR
Tuesday, May 20
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Adults. A Gettysburg Certified Battlefield Guide will lead our tour of the park after a stop at the visitor center. Learn about the course of the battle and how it was fought. A program of the Arlington County Conservation & Interpretation Section.For more information: 703-243-4342. $20 fee per person due at the park on the day of the program. Registration required, register on-line or call 703-228-4747. Program # 633150A
Location: Van will leave from the Lubber Run Center parking lot, 300 N. Park Dr., Arlington, VA 22203.

ARLINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING
Thursday, May 22
7:30 p.m.
AHS members are encouraged to attend the 52nd Annual Meeting. At this meeting, the Nominating Committee will present the candidates for election as Officers and Directors of the Society for the year 2008-2009. Nominations from the floor are also welcome. The formal meeting will be followed by a program featuring Francis X. O'Leary, Treasurer of Arlington County since 1983 and the longest-serving constitutional officer in Arlington history. Mr. O'Leary's topic will be "The E. Wade Ball Story — Arlington's Biggest Scandal."
Location: Arlington Central Library Auditorium, 1015 North Quincy St., Arlington, VA