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Library News

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March 29, 2023

Dawson House

The Dawson House is the only surviving stone structure in the county dating to the 18th or 19th century

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March 23, 2023

Fire Battalion Chief Judith Brewer

Arlington’s First Female Firefighter

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February 28, 2023

Pelham Town

One of Arlington’s lesser known Black communities founded by the Pelham Family

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February 15, 2023

Funeral Programs: A Genealogical Treasure

A newly digitized resource for historians and researchers.

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January 24, 2023

Arlington’s Autorailer Experiment

1936-1939

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December 19, 2022

The USS Arlington

Arlington’s Naval Voyage Through the 20th Century.

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December 9, 2022

Lustron Steel Homes in Arlington

A Slice of American Architectural History

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November 22, 2022

Marking Arlington’s Border in Stone

Some of the country’s oldest federal monuments.

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November 3, 2022

Video: History of the American Nazi Party in Arlington

With Local Author and Historian Charlie Clark.

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June 23, 2022

Ronald (Ron) Deskins: A Quiet Pioneer for Civil Rights

At the young age of 12, Ron Deskins played a crucial role in integrating Virginia public schools.

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June 2, 2022

Milton Rowe: Dedication to Country, Community and Family

Green Valley, Dunbar Housing Community and Work at the White House

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May 12, 2022

Oral History: Gertrude “Trudy” Ensign

Intelligence analyst for the United States Army during World War II.

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February 17, 2022

The Henry Louis Holmes Library, 1940-1949

Created by Arlington’s Black residents, to serve their community during segregation.

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February 10, 2022

Oral History: Rayfield Barber

A lifetime at the center of Arlington’s airport history.

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February 2, 2022

The Activists who Desegregated Arlington’s Movie Theaters

“The Price of a Ticket at the Cost of Your Conscience”

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January 14, 2022

Oral History: Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Arlington

In the days leading up to the March on Washington, civil rights activists from across the country, including Dr. King,...

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December 21, 2021

WETA’s Arlington History: “It is the Programming that Counts”

An iconic institution, capturing and broadcasting the news for more than a half-century.

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December 15, 2021

Oral History: Mary Cook Hackman

Politics, Parks and the Law

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December 2, 2021

Shirlington’s Cinematic Past

Shirlington’s cinema through the years.

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November 18, 2021

Arlington’s Courthouse: A Tale in Three Acts

A Central Landmark of Local Government.

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October 14, 2021

Oral History: Don Tenoso

Arlington-based Native American artist and educator.

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September 23, 2021

Oral History: J. Walter Tejada

In 2003 Tejada became the first person of Latin American heritage to be elected to the County Board, or to...

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September 9, 2021

Remembering September 11 with Photos of First Responders

Images from the Records Related to the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks on the Pentagon collection.

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August 19, 2021

Oral History: Buckingham Florist

Interview with Neil Bassin

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August 12, 2021

Washington Golf and Country Club

The Washington Golf and Country Club is considered the oldest golf club in Virginia, and its course now comprises 88...

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July 15, 2021

Oral History: Public Shoe Store

Interview with Dr. Sholom “Doc” Friedman and Karen Widmayer

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July 1, 2021

An (Un)familiar Tune: Arlington’s Song

Though many may not know the words to this reverential tune, Arlington has had an official song for more than...

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June 21, 2021

Search Thousands of Historic Arlington Papers Online for Free

News Release: Discover Arlington’s history and browse newspaper content online from 1935 to 1978.

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June 17, 2021

Joan Cooper: Taking a Stand

Joan Cooper (1940-2014) was an African-American Arlington social and civic activist, community leader, and passionate anti-drug campaigner.

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June 10, 2021

Oral History: Arlington’s First Openly LGBTQ Elected Official

In 1997, Jay Fisette became the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to office in the state of Virginia when he...

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June 3, 2021

Dorothy Hamm: Speaking Out

Dorothy Hamm was at the forefront of the civil rights movement in Arlington, and lead efforts to successfully desegregate Arlington’s...

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May 27, 2021

The History of Arlington’s Logo and Seal

Learn more about our County iconography.

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May 20, 2021

Arlington Council on Human Relations: Speaking Out

The Arlington Council on Human Relations was to improve the economic, civic, and racial conditions in Arlington County.

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May 13, 2021

Cycling Through Arlington’s History

May is National Biking Month, and to celebrate, let’s take a look at Arlington’s decades-long history of bicycle enthusiasm!

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May 6, 2021

Joan Trumpauer Mulholland: Taking a Stand

Civil rights activist, educator, and founder of the Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Foundation.

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April 29, 2021

Oral History: West Brothers Brick Company

Interview with Rayfield Barber

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April 21, 2021

Barbara Marx: Speaking Out

Marx was involved with civil rights activities and the NAACP, Arlingtonians for a Better County, the Arlington Community Action Committee,...

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April 15, 2021

Arlington’s Signature Soda: Cherry Smash

Did you know that Arlington was once home to one of the country’s most popular sodas?

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April 8, 2021

Dr. Charles Drew: Taking a Stand

Dr. Charles Richard Drew (1904-1950) was a surgeon and a pioneer in the field of blood plasma preservation, storage, and...

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April 1, 2021

Oral History: Bob & Edith’s Diner

Interview with Gregory Bolton

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March 25, 2021

William A. Rowe: Taking a Stand

William Augustus Rowe (1834-1907) was a pivotal figure in the early development of the Green Valley/Nauck community.

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March 18, 2021

Roberta Flack’s Arlington Roots

Arlington native Roberta Flack is known worldwide for her voice, songwriting, and musical ability.

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March 11, 2021

Nguyen Ngoc Bich: Speaking Out

Nguyen Ngoc Bich (1937-2016) was a pivotal Arlingtonian in commercial and community affairs alike.

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March 4, 2021

Oral History: Margaret Troxell

Margaret Troxell (1909-2002) was a pioneering local journalist who helped found the Northern Virginia Sun.

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February 25, 2021

William T. Syphax: Taking a Stand

Native Arlingtonian William Thomas Syphax (1920-1989) was a prominent Black business entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate for the Black community in...

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February 23, 2021

Center for Local History to Curate 2020 Time Capsule

A snapshot of today, as well as a gift for the future.

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February 18, 2021

Arlington’s First Black Legislators

Some of Arlington’s first black legislators include George Lewis Seaton, John B. Syphax, and Alfred William Harris.

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February 11, 2021

Edmund Campbell: Speaking Out

Edmund Douglas Campbell (1899–1995) was a lawyer, social activist, and Arlington County Board member who advocated for civil rights, school...

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February 10, 2021

Poetry by Earlene Green Evans

Earlene Green Evans grew up and attended public schools in Arlington, Virginia, graduating from Hoffman-Boston High School. She received a...

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February 4, 2021

Oral History: The First Students to Desegregate Arlington Public Schools

Interviews with Lance Newman and Michael Jones

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January 28, 2021

George Melvin Richardson: Taking a Stand

George Melvin Richardson (1913-2015) was an African-American educator, school principal, WW II U.S. Army officer, and civic leader.

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January 14, 2021

John Robinson: Taking a Stand

A dedicated community activist who chose to stay and work in the Green Valley neighborhood where he was born and...

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January 7, 2021

Notes on the Arlington Symphony

Over its 60-year run, the Arlington Symphony performed a wide variety of music across the County and was one of...

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December 31, 2020

Kathryn Stone: Speaking Out

Kathryn Stone was one of a small minority of voices in Virginia that courageously fought against the state’s policy of...

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December 17, 2020

Leonard “Doc” Muse: Taking a Stand

Leonard “Doc” Muse (1923-2017), was an African-American pharmacist and social activist, and the owner of Green Valley Pharmacy.

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December 10, 2020

Arlington’s Own Fast and Furious

Arlington was home to a racetrack that drew thrill-seekers and daredevils.

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December 3, 2020

Fire Station #8: Taking a Stand

Hall’s Hill Volunteer Fire Department

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November 19, 2020

Oral History: The Arlington Food Assistance Center

Interviews with Ann Rudd and Andy Lee

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November 12, 2020

Charles Rinker: Speaking Out

“Tireless proponent for fair and affordable housing in Arlington County.”

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October 29, 2020

Voting in Arlington: Then & Now

Take a look at how voting in Arlington has changed over the years.

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October 22, 2020

Portia Haskins: Taking a Stand

In 1965, Portia Haskins filed suit against the Virginia Board of Elections and the Arlington County general registrar to fight...

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October 12, 2020

Dr. Roland Bruner: Taking a Stand

“He provided free medical services to the most disadvantaged in Arlington…”

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October 8, 2020

Rediscover Lutrelle Fleming Parker, Sr.

A tireless advocate for progress in Arlington County.

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October 1, 2020

Delve Into Arlington’s History Through The 1920 Census

How has Arlington changed over the past 100 years?

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September 24, 2020

Oral History: Remembering the Early Businesses of Columbia Pike

Interview with Ruth Levin

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September 17, 2020

America’s First All-Women Swing Band Lived in Arlington

In the first half of the 20th century, only a handful of women were able to make it as successful...

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September 10, 2020

Rediscover The Arlington Property Yard

Before it was renamed the Arlington County Trades Center in 1979, the Property Yard was where Arlington County stored many...

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September 3, 2020

Oral History: Attending Hoffman-Boston High School in the 1940s

Interview with Delores C. Downing

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August 26, 2020

This Week in 19th Amendment History: The 19th Amendment is Officially Adopted

August 26th, 1920 marks another significant date on the journey to achieve universal suffrage. On this day, the 19th Amendment...

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August 18, 2020

This Week in 19th Amendment History: The Ratification of the 19th Amendment

Tennessee became the 36th state to secure ratify the amendment.

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August 17, 2020

A Year of Stories and Milestones in the Fight for Women’s Suffrage

Celebrate the people and events that led up to this historic moment.

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August 6, 2020

The Early History of Arlington’s Libraries

Arlington’s libraries have been a mainstay of the county landscape for generations – but how did the library system as...

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July 30, 2020

Celebrating Dark Star Park

A unique example of public art in Rosslyn.

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July 22, 2020

Fun in the Sun: Summers of Arlington’s Past

Arlington may not come to mind when you think of a beachy oasis, but in the 1920s, one of the...

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July 15, 2020

This Week in 19th Amendment History: Ida B. Wells

Journalist, activist, and suffragist who led an anti-lynching crusade in the 1890s.

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July 8, 2020

Stories of Arlington’s Activists

Arlington’s history of dedicated community members have been combatting racism and prejudice in Arlington and beyond for decades.

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June 25, 2020

The Census: Then & Now

The 2020 census is currently underway – but what did the census look like in the past?

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June 18, 2020

Rediscover Shirlington

On January 21, 1705, William Struttfield, one of 48 original settlers who owned land in present-day Arlington, patented a 543-acre...

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June 11, 2020

Oral History: LGBTQ Activist Lilli Vincenz

Interview with Arlington activist Dr. Lilli Vincenz.

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May 28, 2020

Rediscover The Arlington Post Office

If you live in Arlington County, you have the Post Office to thank for the name of your street.

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May 21, 2020

This Week in 19th Amendment History: Nannie Helen Burroughs

Nannie Helen Burroughs was a leading educator, feminist and suffragist in the Washington, D.C., area throughout the early 20th century.

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May 14, 2020

This Week in 19th Amendment History: Shifts and Splits in the Suffrage Movement

This week, around 150 years ago, the women’s suffrage movement experienced a significant change in its organization, as the various...

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May 7, 2020

This Week in 19th Amendment History: Suffragist Mabel Ping-Hua Lee

Over 100 years ago this week, a young suffragist named Mabel Ping-Hua Lee made history, leading one of the major...

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April 29, 2020

Preservation Week: Preserving Your Family’s Documents

To celebrate Preservation Week this year, the Center for Local History is offering some tips and resources that will help...

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April 28, 2020

COVID-19 Archives Project: Call for Donations

Send Your Materials, Help Tell Arlington’s Story of the Pandemic.

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April 27, 2020

How to Research Local History from Home

The Center for Local History has a wide variety of digitized materials that are an excellent resource for local research.

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April 23, 2020

Biochemist and Nobel Prize Winner: Gertrude Elion

Biochemist and pharmacologist Gertrude Elion was a trailblazer of modern medicine, and her work has shaped the way professionals today...

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April 15, 2020

“The Lady with the Lamp” – Florence Nightingale

A key figure in the development of modern public health.

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April 9, 2020

The Old Bay-Eva Castle of Arlington

One of the most dramatic buildings to grace the County’s landscape.

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April 1, 2020

Writer, Suffragist, Feminist Icon: Louisa May Alcott

She blazed a path for female authors and thinkers to follow.

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March 19, 2020

Angel of the Battlefield: Humanitarian Clara Barton

An enduring symbol of humanitarianism for her work during the American Civil War

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March 11, 2020

This Week in 19th Amendment History: Hallie Quinn Brown

Hallie Quinn Brown was a preeminent educator, writer, public speaker and activist in the causes of civil rights and suffrage...

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March 10, 2020

The Consumer Brewery

The Consumer Brewery building was located above the site of the old Aqueduct Bridge.

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March 4, 2020

Oral History: Bringing the Metro to Arlington

Interview with Roye Lowry

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February 27, 2020

A Fight for Educational Equality: Civil Rights Activist Dorothy Hamm

Dorothy Hamm (1919-2004) worked tirelessly to bring equality to Arlington County.

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February 20, 2020

Unbought and Unbossed: U.S. Representative Shirley Chisholm

In 1968, Shirley Chisholm made history as the first African-American woman to be elected to Congress. She also broke barriers...

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February 18, 2020

Lomax Church and Library Celebrate Records Acquisition

Donation Received from one of Arlington’s Oldest Black Churches

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February 11, 2020

Valentine’s Day Postcards

Sending love through the mail, for a penny.

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February 11, 2020

Exhibition Pays Tribute to Women in Arlington

March 5 through April 2 at Central Library.

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February 6, 2020

Oral History: Renting in Clarendon in the 1950s

Interview with Ann Brock.

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