Arlington House

The Arlington House, the mansion at Arlington National Cemetary, is commonly (and falsely) believed to be owned by Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The Arlington House stands atop a crest of Virginia hillside rising above the Potomac River where it overlooks Washington, D.C. As a result of his marital ties to the Washington family, Lee was custodian of the property, which was originally intended to be both a working farm and a monument to George Washington. The property had fallen upon hard times and disrepair when Lee returned from the Mexican American War to oversee the property. However, just before the outbreak of the War between the States, Lee had returned the property to good repair and profitability.

After Virginia ratified secession, Union troops crossed the Potomac and, under Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell, took up positions around Arlington. During the occupation the Union founded several military installations at and around the mansion. These are survived today by parks in the surrounding community as well as Fort Myer.

The House is currently maintained by the National Park Service and is preserved as a memorial to General Lee.

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