Arlington National Cemetery

Momentum builds in Congress for dropping Robert E. Lee from Arlington House’s name

Published July 17, 2026 at 11:00AM | Updated July 18, 2026 at 9:49AM

Arlington House (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Arlington’s congressman is feeling more confident about the passage of legislation to drop Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s name from the historic house at Arlington National Cemetery.

Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) told ARLnow that co-sponsors of his legislation to rename Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial as the “Arlington House National Historic Site” could rise from about 160 to 200 by the end of this congressional term. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) has reintroduced companion legislation in the Senate.

News

More public comment requested on Trump’s plan for a triumphal arch

By Dan Egitto and The Associated Press

Published July 17, 2026 at 8:30AM

Rendering of proposed arch near Memorial Bridge (via Commission of Fine Arts)

The National Park Service is requesting more public input on a plan to build a triumphal arch on the Virginia side of Memorial Bridge.

Respondents have until Thursday, July 30 to submit feedback on President Donald Trump’s plans to build the 250-foot arch in a heavily trafficked roundabout between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

News

Arlington House materials targeting Robert E. Lee likely not returning, Beyer says

By Emily Leayman

Published July 1, 2026 at 1:45PM

Arlington House as seen over Arlington Memorial Bridge (staff photo by James Cullum)

Arlington’s congressman isn’t expecting the Trump administration’s National Park Service to return to Arlington House educational materials that cast Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s role in history in a critical light.

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) and other Democrats in Virginia’s congressional delegation had demanded the return of the Junior Ranger Program activity booklet to Arlington House in time for America’s 250th birthday . The booklet was reportedly flagged for stating, “In 1829, Robert E. Lee promised to serve in the Army and protect the United States. In 1861, he broke his promise and fought for slavery.”

News

NEW: State lawmakers urge Park Service to reject Trump’s arch near Memorial Bridge

By ARLnow.com

Published June 16, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated June 16, 2026 at 4:00PM

Rendering of proposed arch near Memorial Bridge (via Commission of Fine Arts)

A group of Northern Virginia state lawmakers is urging the National Park Service to reject President Trump’s planned 250-foot “triumphal arch” near Arlington National Cemetery and Memorial Bridge.

In a letter sent Monday, 25 Democratic senators and delegates asked the agency to find that the arch would harm historic sites and to “decline to approve it.” Their districts cover Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax and other parts of Northern Virginia — the communities, they wrote, “most directly affected by this project.”

News

Arch planned near Arlington Nat’l Cemetery clears a hurdle despite sightline concerns

By The Associated Press and ARLnow.com

Published June 4, 2026 at 8:45PM

Rendering of proposed arch near Memorial Bridge (via Commission of Fine Arts)

The National Capital Planning Commission has kept alive the triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants built between the Memorial Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery.

However, the body is requesting more information on how it could potentially impact air travel navigation in the area, as well as other specifics on construction and traffic in the area.

News

NOW: Fallen tree near Arlington National Cemetery causes Metro delays

By Dan Egitto

Published May 26, 2026 at 9:05AM

The fallen tree near Arlington National Cemetery (via Metro Forward/X)

Some Metro travelers are experiencing delays during their commutes this morning due to a downed tree near Arlington National Cemetery.

Shuttle service for the Blue Line is currently operating between Rosslyn and the Pentagon, and Metro is warning of delays on the Orange and Yellow lines in both directions due to train congestion, according to the most recent advisory.

News

Virginia Democrats demand return of Arlington House materials targeting Robert E. Lee

By Emily Leayman

Published May 20, 2026 at 10:00AM | Updated May 20, 2026 at 5:25PM

The U.S. flag flies at half-mast in front of Arlington House (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Virginia’s Democratic congressional delegation is demanding the restoration of Arlington House educational materials that cast Robert E. Lee’s role in history in a critical light.

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, who represents Arlington in the 8th Congressional District, led Democrats in demanding the National Park Service bring back a Junior Ranger Program activity booklet to Arlington House. The booklet was reportedly flagged for stating, “In 1829, Robert E. Lee promised to serve in the Army and protect the United States. In 1861, he broke his promise and fought for slavery.”

News

Federal commission approves concept for Trump’s triumphal arch near Memorial Bridge

By The Associated Press and ARLnow.com

Published April 16, 2026 at 3:15PM

Artist renderings and diagrams for President Donald Trump's new triumphal arch released by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts that is planned to be built in Washington between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, are photographed Friday, April 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)

A federal commission has approved the design concept for the 250-foot triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants to build at Memorial Circle.

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts voted to approve the concept at its meeting today (Thursday). Its members, all appointed by Trump, will review an updated design before taking a final vote at a future meeting.

News

JUST IN: New renderings show 250-foot ‘triumphal arch’ proposed for Memorial Circle

By ARLnow.com

Published April 10, 2026 at 2:55PM | Updated April 10, 2026 at 3:41PM

Rendering of proposed arch near Memorial Bridge (via Commission of Fine Arts)

The Trump administration has submitted detailed architectural plans for a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch at Memorial Circle, drawing strong pushback from Arlington’s congressman.

The 12-page filing, prepared by Harrison Design and submitted by the Department of the Interior, was posted today (Friday) to the website of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts ahead of the panel’s meeting next Wednesday. It marks the first time the administration has formally filed plans for the project, which Trump has spent months teasing on social media and in the Oval Office, according to the Washington Post.

Around Town

Nationals place baseballs on veterans’ graves at Arlington National Cemetery ahead of Opening Day

By ARLnow.com

Published March 26, 2026 at 1:30PM

Gravesite of U.S. Army Cpl. Ernest "Jud" Wilson in Section 43 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, March 24, 2026. A baseball player and manager in the Negro Leagues, "Jud" Wilson played for the Baltimore Black Sox, the Homestead Grays and the Philadelphia Stars between 1922 and 1945. Known for his powerful hitting style, Wilson finished his career with a lifetime batting average of .351, the fifth highest in Negro League history. Wilson was posthumously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. He served as a corporal in the U.S. Army during World War I. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery)

The Washington Nationals placed official MLB baseballs on six graves at Arlington National Cemetery this week, honoring servicemembers with ties to the game.

The tradition, now in its third year, recognizes individuals buried at the cemetery who played, led or shaped the game of baseball.

Around Town

A moment of zen: springtime at Arlington National Cemetery

By ARLnow.com

Published March 19, 2026 at 4:45PM

Spring blooms at Arlington National Cemetery (via ANC/YouTube)

Spring is here, and so are the blooms across Arlington National Cemetery’s 639 acres.

The cemetery just released a video showcasing its grounds in full spring splendor: flowering trees, rolling green hills and quiet moments among the headstones.

News

Restoration work begins on memorials and masonry near Arlington National Cemetery

By Dan Egitto

Published March 19, 2026 at 2:45PM

The eagles on GW Parkway, looking toward Arlington National Cemetery (courtesy of NPS)

Historic preservation work began today (Thursday) on several structures and memorials near Arlington National Cemetery, resulting in lane closures on Washington Blvd and GW Parkway.

Through mid to late May, the National Park Service will be cleaning the Boundary Channel Bridge, repairing deteriorating mortar and conducting restoration work on the Seabees Memorial, the United Spanish War Veterans Memorial and the structural bases of the nearby eagle statues.