This weekend, Arlington County residents can get a taste of their own local Black history at the 22nd annual Feel the Heritage Festival.
The free event will be held in the Arlington View neighborhood, on Saturday, Feb. 22, from noon to 4:00 p.m. at Carver Community Center (1415 S. Queen Street). Festival-goers will be able to experience African American history and culture through food, art, and entertainment.
The event will include a “Hall of History” with unique photos and artifacts from Arlington churches and organizations, live music from the Howard University Gospel Choir, a performance by Step Afrika!, and a soul food menu by Bar-B-Que At Its Best.
The event will also host several vendors and children’s activities which include face painting, and a community wreath project made up of hand prints. Parking is limited, but shuttles running from the Pentagon City Metro station and the Drew Community Center will be available starting at 11:45 a.m.
Arlington County has a rich African American history. According to the National Park Service, Arlington House, or the Robert E. Lee Memorial, was not only the home of Robert E. Lee, but was also built by, and home to over 60 slaves. Arlington was also home to two historic African American communities: Freedman’s Village, which was formed by freed slaves during the Civil War, and Queen City, which was formed by decedents of Freedman’s Village and which was eventually razed in order to build the Pentagon.
In addition, Arlington’s Stratford Junior High School was the first public school to integrate after the legendary Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision in 1954, according to the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington.
Photo via Facebook
Recent Stories
Good Friday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar. 🕗 News recap The following articles were published earlier today…
An explosives detection K-9 celebrated his retirement at Reagan National Airport today. Messi, an 8-year-old yellow lab, was feted this morning in the historic Terminal 1 lobby with a surprise…
Walk to Lee Heights shops from 1930s Tudor on beautiful terraced lot
Arlington’s response team for people in mental health and substance use crises is on track for a substantial buildout. An additional $478,286 in federal funds would allow Arlington to hire…
For Immediate Release
Progress for All Announces Inaugural Black Men Vote Virtual Town Hall
Date: April 19, 2024
Contact: Marc M. M. Peters
The Award is available to recent high school graduates and non-traditional students (see the application for more details). Each recipient may be awarded up to $20,000. Applicants are required to submit an online application form as well as a short video application.
The applicant must be an Arlington resident pursuing a career or technical education accredited program, within a high-growth career, that will be completed within two years.
The careers and programs include, but are not limited to:
-
Audio, Video, and Sound Engineering Technicians
-
Broadcast Technicians
-
Commercial Drivers
-
Culinary Arts
-
Early Childcare Education
-
Healthcare
-
Information Technology and Computer Science
-
Manufacturing and Skilled Trades (including welding, auto and aviation mechanics and technicians)
-
Public Safety
ACFCU’s Free Homebuying 101 Webinar: Steps to Getting Pre-Approved
Are you ready to jump into homeownership, or have you started considering it but don’t know where to start?
Financial preparation is key when thinking about purchasing your first home and the first step to getting pre-approved. Join ACFCU for
Sweeney Todd
A victim of a gross injustice that robbed him of his wife and child, Sweeney Todd sets about exacting a terrible revenge on society.
