Arlington Historical Society | ARLnow.com

New Proposal Forthcoming for Reevesland Farmhouse

Published July 21, 2015 at 2:00PM | Updated July 21, 2015 at 4:24PM

Karl VanNewkirk, the president of the Arlington Historical Society, spoke at the Arlington County Board meeting on Saturday, informing the Board members that he has been working with the Boulevard Manor Civic Association to create a new plan for the farmhouse.

While VanNewkirk did not provide a detailed plan during his speaking time, he did say that the county’s estimate of $2-2.5 million in renovations costs was being driven by the need for a large parking lot and American Disabilities Act compliance. Under a private ownership, the farmhouse would not need the lot nor to be fully compliant with ADA.

News

Arlington Historical Society Looking for Volunteers

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 6, 2015 at 1:45PM

The AHS has put out the call for volunteers to sign up to be docents — who serve as guides and helpers — at the museum at The Hume School (1805 S. Arlington Ridge Road) and the Ball-Sellers House (5620 3rd Street S.), the oldest school building and house, respectively, in the county.

“With the right mix of volunteer docents we could not only preserve … visiting hours but also expand weekend hours and — most eagerly sought — add at least one weekday afternoon to our schedule,” AHS said in a posting on the Volunteer Arlington website. “At present many potential visitors, including school students, simply can’t explore the museum during the week, which means that whole sectors of visitors never have the opportunity to see what we have to show them. Museum certification organizations and many grant-makers also require weekday opening hours, which prohibits us from upgrading and expanding the museum.”

Around Town

WETA, Arlington Historical Society Partner for County History Series

By Ethan Rothstein

Published April 28, 2015 at 4:15PM

Shrlington-based public television station WETA and the Arlington Historical Society have produced a series of videos highlighting the county’s history.

Events

Arlington Bells to Ring This Afternoon for Civil War Anniversary

By Ethan Rothstein

Published April 9, 2015 at 2:30PM

“Bells across the Land” will start at 3:00 p.m. at Appomattox Court House 170 miles away from Arlington, where Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865.

Fifteen minutes later, “churches, temples, schools, city halls, public buildings, historic sites, and others are invited to ring bells” for four minutes, one minute for each year of the Civil War, the National Park Service said in a press release.

Around Town

Century-Old House in Ballston to be Demolished

By Ethan Rothstein

Published February 26, 2015 at 5:30PM | Updated February 26, 2015 at 6:24PM

4210 Washington Blvd, to be demolished this spring

(Updated at 6:30 p.m.) In a matter of months, a Washington Boulevard house thought to have been built in the 1800s will be torn down.

The two-story shingle and frame house at 4210 Washington Blvd will be replaced with a four-story duplex with a rooftop patio. It was built sometime between 1895 and 1910, according to Arlington County records, but little, if anything, is going to be preserved.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published December 29, 2014 at 9:30AM

Car Towed With Dog Inside — A car was towed from a private parking lot in Arlington while the owner’s 8-year-old Golden Retriever was still inside. Car owner Jennifer Geisler said she didn’t know she was parking illegally while running a 20 minute errand. She took a cab to get her car back from Advanced Towing, then complained to local TV stations about the incident. [NBC Washington — WARNING: Auto-play video]

Arlington Nursing School Shut Down — The Virginia Board of Nursing has shut down the Medical Learning Center, an Arlington nursing school. The school’s students say administrators left them in the dark and they’re now out thousands of dollars while their nursing careers are in limbo. [WJLA]

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 31, 2014 at 9:25AM | Updated October 31, 2014 at 11:00AM

Historical Society Requests Heritage Center — The Arlington Historical Society formally requested including a heritage center in the the plan for redeveloping the Courthouse Square area. The organization said it could assist with developing such a facility, but could not foot the bill entirely on its own. [InsideNova]

Wizards’ Marcin Gortat Buys $1.6M Home in Arlington — Washington Wizards player Marcin Gortat has purchased one of the most expensive homes on the market in Arlington. He bought the 5-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom home for $1.6 million. The 4,008 square foot new house on N. Quebec Street should have plenty of room for the 6’11” Gortat. [Curbed DC]

News

ACFD Fixes Bell at Hume School

By ARLnow.com

Published October 7, 2014 at 12:45PM

Members of the Arlington County Fire Department blocked off the parking lot to the Arlington Historical Museum in Aurora Hills and climbed to the top of the Hume School on Tuesday morning. There was no emergency, the firefighters simply helped to fix the old school’s bell.

The bell functioned as a call to school children from 1891 until 1956. More recently, visitors to the museum could ring the bell. That is, until the rope broke when a visitor pulled it a little too enthusiastically.

Events

Historical Society to Offer Antique Appraisals

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 22, 2014 at 1:30PM | Updated August 22, 2014 at 3:57PM

The Arlington Historical Society is hosting its first-ever antique appraisal at Carlin Hall (5711 4th Street S.) on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Interested visitors can pay $10 to have Todd Peenstra, of Annapolis, Md.-based Peenstra Antiques Appraisals, and Steve Gouterman, a jewelry appraiser from NovaGold in Fairfax.

The first hour of appraisals will be conducted in a public, Antiques Roadshow-style setting, and the second hour is reserved for private appraisals. Each appraisal costs $10, while those without antiques can see the show for $5.

Events

Library to Host Presentation on County’s Second-Oldest House

By ARLnow.com

Published August 16, 2013 at 10:00AM | Updated August 16, 2013 at 11:16AM

The Dawson-Bailey House, believed to be the second-oldest home in Arlington, will be the focus of a visual presentation by Karl VanNewkirk, an Arlington Historical Society board member. The Sept. 12 presentation is part of a series of public programs between AHS and the library in an effort to further educate residents on the county’s history.

The Dawson-Bailey House was originally built as a one-room log cabin in the 1780s — though the actual age of the house is unknown. Both the Dawson and Bailey families occupied the house and continued to add to it for about 100 years. In 1955, after the last owner died, it was handed over to Arlington County. Today, the house is part of the Dawson Terrace Community Center (2133 N. Taft St.) and overlooks Spout Run Parkway in the North Highlands neighborhood, near Rosslyn.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 30, 2013 at 9:10AM

Exhibit Looks at Civil War Soldier — The Arlington Historical Society has a new exhibit highlighting the life of “everyman” soldier that was stationed in Arlington during the Civil War. About 10,000 soldiers were stationed in Arlington at any one time, compared to the population of Arlington at the time: 1,400. [Sun Gazette]

Streetcar Supporters Throw Party — About 100 people turned out at the Party for the Pike, an inaugural event organized by the pro-streetcar group Arlington Streetcar Now. The chairman of the group says he’s seeing growing support for the streetcar, especially among younger residents. [Patch]

Events

Program to Wax Nostalgic About Historic Businesses

By Katie Pyzyk

Published March 15, 2012 at 10:45AM

“Do You Remember?” is being billed as an interactive journey through Arlington’s commercial history. Charlie Clark, a longtime contributor to the Arlington Historical Magazine, will lead the program.

The program will look at now defunct businesses such as Herbert’s Youth Fashions and McCrory’s Five and Dime. Attendees can also share their memories of beloved businesses from decades past.