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Author: LoveArlington

Recording Vietnamese Voices in Arlington

Recording Vietnamese Voices in Arlington

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As we’ve reported, Preservation Arlington has been proud to sponsor an ongoing project by master’s degree students from Virginia Tech’s Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (National Capital Region) to collect and preserve Vietnamese heritage in Arlington. The students have now completed the first phase of this project, which involved collecting stories, photos and artifacts from Vietnamese community members who immigrated to, shopped at or owned businesses in Arlington’s Clarendon neighborhood when it was known as “Little Saigon” during the…

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Collecting and Preserving Arlington’s Vietnamese Heritage

Collecting and Preserving Arlington’s Vietnamese Heritage

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In the late 1970s and early 1980s, after the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War, the arrival of thousands of Vietnamese refugees and immigrants in the Washington, D.C., area led to the creation of a Vietnamese enclave in Clarendon. This community became widely known as “Little Saigon.” Department stores, restaurants, fabric and furniture stores, and other establishments filled the Clarendon strip, revitalizing an area that was, at the time, disrupted by Metro construction. The Clarendon metro…

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Charlie Clark Profiles Preservation Arlington

Charlie Clark Profiles Preservation Arlington

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Charlie Clark, who writes the “Our Man in Arlington” column for the Falls Church News Press, has devoted his latest piece to Preservation Arlington. He discusses our Endangered List (including the Wilson School pictured below), our social media reach, and our hopes for the future. Clark writes: “The downside of progress — the loss of historic character and valued flavor from earlier eras — is worthy of a regular reminder. For that we can count on Preservation Arlington.” Click here…

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Etched in Stone:
Urban Archaeology

Etched in Stone:
Urban Archaeology

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What is urban archaeology? It’s the process of discovering the material past of towns and cities. Today, all major construction projects are required to recycle their building materials. For efficiency, this usually involves moving materials offsite to be ground, combined or otherwise destroyed to become the base of a new material. But in the old days, many items were re-used on site. Re-use is a form of recycling, and it’s now allowing us an intriguing glimpse into a long-forgotten story…

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I Love My Historic House: Patrick in Aurora Hills

I Love My Historic House: Patrick in Aurora Hills

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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…

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For Sale: Going Dutch…
Colonial, That Is

For Sale: Going Dutch…
Colonial, That Is

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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…

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The Architecture of Mihran Mesrobian

The Architecture of Mihran Mesrobian

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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…

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Back to School: Great Buildings, Great Stories

Back to School: Great Buildings, Great Stories

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Preservation Arlington celebrates the start of a return to the school year with a look at one of the most important buildings types in our community — the school house. Like other civic structures, school buildings are physical manifestations of a community’s strong commitment to government, community health and welfare, and education–as well as dedication to the future. Over the years Arlington has had a wide range of school building types — in many styles and sizes. As our population…

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Arlington Bookshelf:
Arlington in the Civil War

Arlington Bookshelf:
Arlington in the Civil War

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With its proximity to Washington, D.C., Arlington, then known as Alexandria County, was essential to the protection of the nation’s capital during the Civil War. Union troops built a ring of forts around the city, including nearly two dozen in Arlington. And of course, Robert E. Lee’s stately home, located in the heart of Arlington Cemetery, gave the county its name. Here are a few books that touch on Arlington’s key role in the Civil War: Mr. Lincoln’s Forts: A…

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I Love My Historic House: Edwin in Old Glebe

I Love My Historic House: Edwin in Old Glebe

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In this new series, homeowners answer five short questions about living in an older or historic Arlington home. Our second entry in this series comes from Edwin Fountain, a longtime Arlington resident and preservation advocate. He talks to Preservation Arlington about his strong family ties to the house and how he’s updating it for 21st century communications. Q: Briefly describe your house. What style is it, what year was it built, and what neighborhood is it in? A: My house…

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