Arlington House

Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, is a 19th-century Greek Revival mansion located on the prominent high grounds within Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Built between 1802 and 1818 by George Washington Parke Custis—the step-grandson of George Washington—the mansion was originally intended to serve as the nation's first living memorial to Washington. It later became the home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee and his wife, Mary Anna Custis Lee, who resided there for three decades before fleeing at the onset of the American Civil War in 1861. Today, the property is administered by the National Park Service (NPS) as a historic site that explores the complex layers of American history, from the legacy of the Washington family to the realities of the plantation's enslaved community. 

🏛️ Historical Significance

• George Washington Memorial: Built by Custis to house his massive collection of George Washington artifacts and family heirlooms. 
• The Lee Residency: Robert E. Lee married Mary Anna Custis in the home's parlor in 1831. He drafted his historic resignation letter from the U.S. Army in a second-floor bedroom here in April 1861. 
• Enslaved Community & Freedom: The plantation was built and operated by at least 100 enslaved individuals. During the Civil War, the federal government established Freedman’s Village on the southern portion of the estate, creating a thriving community of up to 3,000 emancipated African Americans. 
• Origin of the Cemetery: In 1864, Union General Montgomery C. Meigs designated the estate as a military burial ground to ensure Lee could never return to live on the land. 

📋 Current Status & Naming Legislation

Following a massive multi-million dollar restoration funded by philanthropist David Rubenstein, the historic site features a heavily updated interpretation. Rather than strictly memorializing Lee, the museum and exhibits focus comprehensively on the stories of the enslaved families (such as the Grays and Syphaxes) alongside the Custis and Lee families. 

The site is currently the subject of ongoing political and social debate:

• Renaming Efforts: U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and Representative Don Beyer have championed active legislation to officially strip Robert E. Lee's name from the site. The pending bill seeks to redesignate the landmark simply as the "Arlington House National Historic Site" to reflect a more inclusive history. 
• Local Identity: Because of the home's dark history rooted in slavery, local officials in Arlington County successfully completed efforts to remove the silhouette of Arlington House from the official county logo, seal, and government stationery.