Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial

Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial is a historic house museum located in Arlington National Cemetery, overlooking the Potomac River and Washington, D.C.. The estate was once the home of Robert E. Lee, the famous Confederate States Army general, and his wife Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee, a descendant of Martha Washington and George Washington. The house has a rich history, having been built by George Washington Parke Custis, the step-grandson of George Washington, and has been associated with notable figures such as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Dolley Madison. The estate is situated near the Pentagon and the United States Air Force Memorial.

● History

The history of the estate dates back to the 1820s, when George Washington Parke Custis began constructing the house, which was designed by George Hadfield, a British architect who also designed the United States Capitol and the Octagon House. The estate was built using African American slave labor and featured a large slave quarters and a gardener's house. During the American Civil War, the estate was seized by the United States Army and used as a military headquarters by General Irvin McDowell and later as a cemetery for Union soldiers, which eventually became Arlington National Cemetery. The estate has also been associated with notable events such as the First Battle of Bull Run and the Second Battle of Bull Run, and has been visited by prominent figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and William Tecumseh Sherman.

● Architecture

The architecture of the estate is a mix of Greek Revival and Italianate styles, with a large portico and a dome-shaped cupola. The house features a large central hall with a staircase designed by George Hadfield and a parlor with a piano played by Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee. The estate also includes a kitchen, a dining room, and a library with books owned by Robert E. Lee and George Washington Parke Custis. The house has undergone several renovations, including a major restoration project in the 1950s led by the National Park Service and the American Institute of Architects, which aimed to restore the house to its original appearance during the 1850s, when Robert E. Lee and his family lived there.

● Robert E. Lee and Family

Robert E. Lee and his family lived in the house from 1831 to 1861, and it was here that he wrote his famous Resignation Letter to General Winfield Scott, in which he resigned his commission in the United States Army to join the Confederate States Army. The house also features a bedroom where Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee gave birth to their children, including George Washington Custis Lee and William Henry Fitzhugh Lee. The family was known for their hospitality, and the house was often visited by notable figures such as Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson, and Jeb Stuart. The estate is also associated with the Lee family's slaveholding history, and the National Park Service has worked to interpret this complex and difficult history, including the stories of African American slaves such as Selina Gray and William Costin.

● Preservation and Memorial

The estate was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and is now managed by the National Park Service as a historic house museum. The house has undergone several restoration projects, including a major project in the 1950s and a more recent project in the 2000s, which aimed to restore the house to its original appearance during the 1850s. The estate is also home to the Arlington House Museum, which features exhibits on the history of the estate and the Lee family, as well as a gift shop and a visitor center. The estate is a popular destination for tourists and history buffs, and is also an important memorial to Robert E. Lee and the American Civil War.

● Tourism and Significance

The estate is a popular destination for tourists and history buffs, with over 600,000 visitors per year. The estate offers guided tours of the house and grounds, as well as special events and re-enactments throughout the year. The estate is also an important memorial to Robert E. Lee and the American Civil War, and is a significant part of American history and cultural heritage. The estate is situated near other notable historic sites such as the United States Capitol, the White House, and the National Mall, and is a must-see destination for anyone interested in American history and architecture. The estate has been recognized with several awards and designations, including the National Historic Landmark designation and the National Register of Historic Places listing, and is considered one of the most important historic sites in the United States. Category:Historic houses in Virginia