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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More Seats: Secondary Seats

More Seats: Secondary Seats

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At a November 5 meeting of Arlington Public Schools’ Secondary Seats Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) group, a wide variety of proposals for “more seats” for students were released for community input. Three of the sites — Reed School, Wilson School and Stratford School — are all important historic community buildings having served the educational needs of Arlington residents for generations. The Stratford School is on the National Register; Reed School just underwent a major renovation in which the original school…

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Upcoming Meeting(s):
West Rosslyn & Wilson School

Upcoming Meeting(s):
West Rosslyn & Wilson School

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Two important meetings this week will affect the future of Wilson School. The eighth meeting of the Western Rosslyn Area Planning Study (WRAPS) will be Thursday, November 8, at 7:00 pm at Wilson School. The working group meetings are open to the public for observation. This will be an opportunity for the working group to review the concept plans for the site. On Saturday, November 10, at 8:30 am is a Community Public Forum on the proposed concept plans. This…

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I Love My Historic House:
Eric in Cherrydale

I Love My Historic House:
Eric in Cherrydale

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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 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…

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For Sale:
Barcroft Contemporary

For Sale:
Barcroft Contemporary

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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…

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For Sale: A Classic in Maywood

For Sale: A Classic in Maywood

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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…

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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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House History Workshop
November 5

House History Workshop
November 5

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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…

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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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