Browsed by
Month: October 2014

I Love My Historic House:
Eric in Cherrydale

I Love My Historic House:
Eric in Cherrydale

In this series, homeowners answer five short questions about living in an older or historic Arlington home. Our latest entry in this series comes from Cherrydale resident Eric Dobson, who saved his 1920s Sears-style Craftsman bungalow house and converted it into a four-square but made a dramatic modern addition on the back. He talks about how not taking the easy way out led to the best possible outcome. Q: Briefly describe your house. What style is it, what year was…

Read More Read More

For Sale:
Barcroft Contemporary

For Sale:
Barcroft Contemporary

This contemporary home is in one of Arlington’s older neighborhoods — Barcroft. Featuring an open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, large windows letting sun pour in, split-level living space and a open carport — this is contemporary living at its best. Common in the 1950s and ’60s, some architectural historians credit the invention of the split-level design to Frank Lloyd Wright, who incorporated a split between public and private spaces in some of his prairie-style houses. Built in 1962, this home…

Read More Read More

For Sale: A Classic in Maywood

For Sale: A Classic in Maywood

Arlington has only one local historic district that is primarily single family homes — the Maywood community. Nestled just north of Lee Highway in Cherrydale, Maywood is one of Arlington’s older residential neighborhoods districts. It contains a wide variety of architectural styles and homes, many of which have inviting front porches and gable roofs. Homes representing the Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival and Craftsman styles are located in the community. Maywood was platted between 1909 and 1913 with the…

Read More Read More

I Love My Historic House: Patrick in Aurora Hills

I Love My Historic House: Patrick in Aurora Hills

In this series, homeowners answer five short questions about living in an older or historic Arlington home. Our latest entry in this series comes from Aurora Hills resident Patrick Johnson, who has maintained his Sears catalog house’s historic features while updating it for modern comfort — and adding one recognizable “creature” in the front yard. Q: Briefly describe your house. What style is it, what year was it built, and what neighborhood is it in? A: My house was built…

Read More Read More

House History Workshop
November 5

House History Workshop
November 5

Four organizations focused on history in Arlington, including Preservation Arlington, are jointly hosting a House History Workshop on November 5. The workshop is designed to help Arlington residents research the history of their homes. Attendees will: Learn how to research the history of their own home or any historic property in Arlington. Use the maps, building permit data, photo archives, and other materials available at the Arlington County Library’s Center for Local History (CLH) and the Arlington County Historic Preservation…

Read More Read More

For Sale: Going Dutch…
Colonial, That Is

For Sale: Going Dutch…
Colonial, That Is

The Dutch Colonial house style is a subset of Colonial Revival architecture that is distinguished by its barn-like gambrel roof and deep eaves. The earliest Dutch Colonial houses were commonly found in the Northeastern colonies that saw heavy Dutch settlement and trading — such as New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and beyond. By the turn of the 20th century, the Dutch Colonial style experienced a renaissance, along with other types of traditional architecture, in suburbs up and down the East…

Read More Read More

The Architecture of Mihran Mesrobian

The Architecture of Mihran Mesrobian

One of Arlington’s most notable architects will be the subject of an illustrated lecture on Tuesday, October 14th. Caroline Mesrobian Hickman, Ph.D., a local art and architectural historian and granddaughter of architect Mihran Mesrobian, will talk about her grandfather’s work at 7:00 PM at the St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, 4125 Fessenden Street, NW, Washington DC 20016. This free lecture is open to the public and will be followed by a reception. Mihran Mesrobian was a noted and prolific architect…

Read More Read More

Lost: September 2014

Lost: September 2014

In September 2014 a total of twenty-one (21) demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. Seven were for single-family homes. Four were for a set of low-rise commercial buildings. The remaining permits were re-applications or for the demolition of secondary buildings (garage/shed). North Arlington accounted for all of the permits — both commercial and residential. Two of the homes are in the Highland Park/Overlee Knolls (Fostoria) National Register Historic District (2106 North Potomac Street and 6235 21st Street North)….

Read More Read More

HALRB Agenda for 10/15

HALRB Agenda for 10/15

The Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) advises the County Board on historic preservation matters. The HALRB nominates properties for local and national designation and also reviews plans for exterior alterations, demolition and new construction in locally designated Arlington historic districts through a Certificate of Appropriate (CoA) process. The October agenda for HALRB is now online. It includes: Three (3) CoAs for the Maywood Historic District, discussion on the Fraber House Historic District (1612 North Quincy Street), and the…

Read More Read More