Arlington House sits on a hill inside Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, with wide views across the cemetery and toward Washington, D.C. Built by George Washington Parke Custis between 1803 and 1818 as a memorial to George Washington, it later became the home of Robert E. Lee and his family. Inside, period furniture, paintings and household objects fill the rooms; exhibits also address the enslaved people who lived and worked on the plantation. Walk through the garden and former living quarters to see more of the site’s history.
Built as a memorial to George Washington
George Washington Parke Custis built Arlington House between 1803 and 1818 as a memorial to his step-grandfather, George Washington. Custis’s daughter, Mary Anna Custis, later inherited the property and lived there with her husband, Robert E. Lee. The estate was a working plantation before it became a cemetery.
Enslaved people built the house and lived and worked on the property. The exhibits address their lives alongside the story of the Custis and Lee families. That context is essential to understanding the house and the land around it.
From plantation to national cemetery
In 1864, the federal government took over the former plantation grounds for use as a burial site for Civil War soldiers. The hilltop house remained within what became Arlington National Cemetery. Its setting connects the history of the family home with the cemetery that now surrounds it.
The site presents Robert E. Lee’s complicated place in the country’s history. Displays and interpretation cover the house, the family and the people who were enslaved there, rather than treating the mansion as a story of domestic life alone.
Rooms, quarters and gardens
The furnished rooms contain period furniture, paintings and household objects. A room associated with the children’s education and a painting room are also on display. The former quarters of enslaved people face a small courtyard; exhibits there provide information about their lives on the property.
Outside, the recreated gardens include flower beds and a vegetable garden. A small visitor center and public restroom are behind the house. Together, the rooms and grounds give you a fuller view of the estate than a walk through the main house alone.
Getting around the site
Arlington House is within Arlington National Cemetery, and the walk from the cemetery entrance takes about 15 minutes. A trolley is another way to travel around the cemetery, but visitors who enjoy walking can reach the house on foot. The grounds are on a hill above the cemetery, with views toward Washington, including the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol.
The house is open to the public for self-guided visits, and no admission ticket is required. School groups can make the site busier, particularly on Mondays, so allow extra time if you want to explore the rooms and grounds at a slower pace.
Perguntas frequentes
Is admission to Arlington House free?
No admission ticket is required to visit the house.
How do you get to Arlington House from the cemetery entrance?
It is about a 15-minute walk from the entrance. You can also use a cemetery trolley.
How long does a visit take?
A visit to the house can take about 15 minutes; allow longer to see the grounds and exhibits.
What can you see inside Arlington House?
The rooms display period furniture, paintings and household objects. There are also exhibits about the family and the enslaved people who lived and worked on the property.
