We Need Your Help

Please consider in making a gift to the Arlington Historical Society's Annual Bell-Ringer Campaign. All of the core operations, publications and programs of the Society are only possible because of the generous financial support we receive from Society members and the community. Your donation helps us to fulfill our educational mission of preserving local history as an essential part of the culture and identity of Arlington County.

After seeing significant investment losses in the previous fiscal year, and incurring the unexpected expense of a new furnace for the museum, we have made strides in streamlining our services, minimizing costs, and finding new methods of fundraising.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 was a scary night for the Arlington Historical Society.  That night a catastrophic failure in the second floor air conditioner/furnace unit in the Arlington Historical Museum, operated by the Society in the historic Hume School building, pumped acrid smoke throughout the building, imperiling our collection of artifacts.  Alert neighbors and a prompt response from the Arlington County Fire Department avoided what could have been a tragic loss of Arlington’s tangible history.

Fortunately, there was no permanent damage to any museum artifacts and the debris was quickly cleaned up. But the 20+ year old AC/furnace unit was damaged beyond repair.  Climate control is an essential part of preserving the artifacts in the museum’s collection, which can be compromised by wide fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity.  The old furnace had to be quickly replaced—a major, non-budgeted, capital expenditure for the society.  The new Carrier 58CVA135-22 High Efficiency Gas Furnace (135,000 BTU) cost the society $3,726.

This unexpected expense and investment losses left the Society with a significant budget deficit this past fiscal year.  The Arlington Historical Society helps the community in so many ways.  Now we are asking for your assistance. Please donate as much as you can: every little bit helps.

Our Mission

The Arlington Historical Society, Inc. is a nonprofit educational organization. Its mission is to conduct research and to preserve and disseminate knowledge relating to the history, archaeology, material culture, and geographical and socio-economic development of Arlington County, Virginia.

How We Benefit the Community

The Arlington Historical Society is committed to helping the community.  As the official keepers of Arlington history, we provide crucial services for both the community and the county government.  We provide free public access to the rich history of Arlington, Virginia by owning and maintaining the Arlington Historical Museum, which houses over 4000 artifacts, and the Ball-Sellers House, which contains the oldest structure in Arlington, County built in approximately 1642.  We publish a bi-monthly Newsletter and an annual scholarly journal, the Arlington Historical Magazine.  In addition, the Arlington Historical Museum is a source for historical books, maps and information on historical events happening in Arlington.  Plus, the Society sponsors historical programs, events, and activities for our members and the public.

Thank you,
Arlington Historical Society