The Arlington Historical Society is marking the nation’s 250th birthday with a commemorative keepsake highlighting tales of the county’s past.
The 32-page, tabloid-sized Arlington VA250 History Chronicle also marks this year’s commemoration of the society’s 70th anniversary.
“Our goal was to produce a publication that is informative, engaging and lasting, a resource that readers will keep and return to long after the anniversary year has passed,” Historical Society president Peter Vaselopulos told ARLnow.
Topics covered by the 70 articles, which are typically a few hundred words and were grouped three to a page, include:
- People: Some of those featured are Frank Lyon, Crandal Mackey, Zitkala-Ša, Charlie Clark, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, Emma Violand-Sánchez, the Woman’s Club of Arlington and Dr. Charles Drew
- Places: Communities or specific places receiving write-ups include Ayer’s Hardware, the original Arlington Courthouse, Arlington Brewing Company, Glebe House, Chain Bridge, Parkington Shopping Center, Little Saigon and Lomax AME Zion Church
- Things: Events chronicled include 1960 lunch-counter sit-ins, the 1982 Air Florida crash, the Civil War Ball’s Crossroads skirmish, Orville Wright’s 1908 flight at Fort Myer
Also included are historical sketches of a number of county neighborhoods, including Columbia Pike, Buckingham and Dominion Hills.
The articles were compiled from a number of sources, including the historical society’s archives, and aimed to be relevant to a broad audience, Vaselopulos said:
“We looked for stories that are historically significant, well-documented and help readers better understand our community’s role in American history. We also strived for a balanced newspaper that represents different time periods, diverse perspectives and a variety of topics, including military history, education, business, transportation, preservation, civic life and the experiences of everyday residents.”
To help get the project to completion, the historical society contracted with Sarah Cheetham, who helped develop the layout ensuring all 70 articles were presented attractively.
Given front-page coverage in the newspaper is a prominent photo of an Independence Day parade in Fairlington, along with an article on “Why the 250th Anniversary Matters” and one looking at the founding of the society in September 1956.
Two years after the society’s founding, the first edition of the Arlington Historical Magazine went to press. New editions continue to be published annually as softcover books.
Could future editions of the newspaper be on the horizon? Vaselopulos said that while the format may be seen by some as “old school,” it has the advantages of leaving a permanent, tangible impact and the potential of reaching new audiences. So he is keeping an open mind.
“The public’s response to the History Chronicle will help shape those decisions, but we certainly hope this is only the beginning,” Vaselopulos said. “One of the exciting things about local history is that there are always more stories waiting to be told.”
Copies of Arlington VA250 History Chronicle are $5 and are available for purchase at the Arlington Historical Museum, open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.
Copies often are available for purchase at community events where the society has a presence.
