What’s in a name? In Alcova Heights, the answer to that question is “a lot of local history.” The neighborhood’s name stands for Alexandria County, Virginia (AL – CO – VA), which was the original name of the county until 1920. Today, one of the neighborhood’s many older but well-maintained homes is on the market. Alcova Heights was first developed in 1921 by former Virginia State Senator J. Cloyd Byars, who bought 142 acres from the Columbia Land Company and…
The dictionary defines the term “sweet spot” as “an optimum point or combination of factors or qualities.” If that’s the case, then this renovated circa-1925 bungalow is in a sweet spot indeed. Tucked away on a quiet street between Glebe Road and the scenic Army-Navy Country Club, the house is located close to downtown Shirlington, Columbia Pike, and I-395, making it convenient to many desirable South Arlington amenities as well as downtown Washington, D.C. This three-bedroom, two-bath house still has…
Adjacent to parkland and surrounded by trees, the wide wrap-around porch on this charming century-old house allows for an easygoing country lifestyle, even in the heart of an urban area. Built in 1911 in the Maywood neighborhood, this four-bedroom, two-bath house has been updated with modern amenities while still retaining many of its original architectural features, including built-in bookcases and beautiful heavy trim work. Maywood is the only whole neighborhood protected as a local historic district in Arlington and features…
Preservation Arlington is beginning a new series called “I Love My Historic House,” in which homeowners answer five short questions about living in an older or historic Arlington home. Our first entry in this series comes from Nancy Iacomini, a member of the Arlington County Planning Commission and a speaker at our May 13 panel discussion. She tells us about how she and her husband Dan overcame “fear at first sight” and updated their home to make it comfortable for…
A Twitter from 1954? Another one from 1962? In all, 14 Twitters have recently been sent to the Center for Local History at Arlington’s Central Library. The Twitter was the name of the school newspaper of the former Henry Clay Elementary School in Clarendon. Recently uncovered at an estate sale at the home of a former Clay schoolteacher, this treasure trove includes school newspapers spanning nearly a decade between 1954 and 1962, as well as a half dozen class photographs…
“What we have matters…the trends and patterns that shaped Arlington matter.” So said Cynthia Liccese-Torres, the county’s historic preservation coordinator, at Preservation Arlington’s first-ever panel discussion on the State of Preservation in Arlington County. Held on Tuesday, May 13, in the elegant Fillmore Room of the Boulevard Woodgrill on Wilson Boulevard, the panel drew nearly 45 attendees. In addition to Liccese-Torres, the panel consisted of John Richardson, president of the Arlington Historical Society; Joan Lawrence, chair of the Historical Affairs…
On May 6, 2013, Preservation Arlington debuted as an online forum dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of Arlington’s distinct architectural heritage. Through education and advocacy, Preservation Arlington brings together people and organizations to influence the future of Arlington’s historic buildings, landscapes, and communities. Our primary format was an educational website providing information and discussion. It has been quite a ride and we thank you for enjoying it with us. Since last May, Preservation Arlington has posted 117 blog…
Our friends at WalkArlington are planning a community Walkabout on Sunday, May 18, that will feature the High View Park, Waverly Hills, and Cherrydale neighborhoods. The Walkabout, which includes a 2.5-mile loop and a 3-mile loop, takes walkers past several historic sites, including the Glebe House (shown at right), Calloway United Methodist Church, the Cherrydale Library, and the Cherrydale Firehouse. Click here for event information and here for a printable map.
RSVP by May 9 to preservationarlington “at” gmail “dot” com