Complete information on visiting Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial is now on National Park Planner!
Arlington House is the former home of Robert E. Lee, the commander of the Confederate army during the Civil War. However, the house was originally built by George Washington Parke Custis, the grandson of Martha Custis. Martha married George Washington as her second husband. The Washington’s raised George, and he considered George Washington to be his father. When Martha died in 1802, he inherited 1,100 acres on the Potomac River, and between then and 1818 he built a mansion that he originally called Mount Washington, but later renamed Arlington House. The house was to serve as his personal George Washington memorial. Lee came into the picture in 1831 when he married Mary Custis, George’s daughter.
In 1925, the U.S. Congress authorized the creation of the Robert E. Lee Memorial despite the fact that Lee had fought against the United States. It was his actions after the war that gained public and political forgiveness. Lee was one of the great proponents for bringing the country back together and urged Southerners to forget the past and graciously rejoin the United States. Arlington House was officially opened in 1933 after three years of restoration. Visitors are welcome to walk the grounds and see the interior of the house on a self-guided tour.
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Last updated on September 12, 2021
