Arlington House was built between 1803 and 1818 by George Washington Parke Custis, the grandson of Martha Washington, as a memorial to George Washington. His daughter, Mary Anna Custis, married Robert E. Lee there in 1831, and the couple lived at the estate for 30 years before Lee resigned his U.S. Army commission to join the Confederacy in 1861. Union forces occupied the property early in the Civil War, and in 1864 the grounds were designated as a military cemetery — the origin of Arlington National Cemetery. The mansion was designated a national memorial in 1955 and is managed by the National Park Service in partnership with Arlington National Cemetery.
📚 Learn More at NPSHistory.com →At Arlington House, the National Park Service has worked for years to document and interpret the history of slavery at this site — a history that was ignored for much of the park's existence. The exhibits, waysides, and publications now under review represent a hard-won commitment to telling the complete American story.
Among the content targeted: “In 1829, Robert E. Lee promised to serve in the Army and protect the United States. In 1861, he broke his promise and fought for slavery.” — language that the administration has ordered revised under its directive to review historically accurate interpretive materials.
Why this matters: The history of slavery at Arlington House was suppressed for generations. The materials now being targeted represent decades of work by historians, descendants of enslaved people, and community advocates to ensure these stories are finally told. Removing them would re-erase history that has only recently been acknowledged.
We are submitting 1 publication for review. Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial Junior Ranger book has one line of text that we would like reviewed (on page 5). We have the digital file for this publication and can remove the text for future use.
Text is below and pdf is attached.
“In 1829, Robert E. Lee promised to serve in the Army and protect the United States. In 1861, he broke his promise and fought for slavery.”
Arlington House in DC preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The exhibit panels at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “We are submitting photos of all of the exhibits found within the museum at Arlington House, Robert E. Lee Memorial. This site was designated by Congress as a memorial to Robert E Lee. The museum was designed as a space dedicated to the life and legacy of Robert E. Lee. All material within the museum presents a balanced narrative of his life and influence. We decided to submit all exhibits so the...”
Why this matters: Arlington House is part of a network of over 400 national parks that serve as America's classrooms. The interpretive materials here were developed by subject-matter experts to help visitors understand the full story of this place. When historically accurate content is removed, the public loses access to its own history.
8 photos (398-404 & 406)
We are submitting photos of all of the exhibits found within the museum at Arlington House, Robert E. Lee Memorial. This site was designated by Congress as a memorial to Robert E Lee. The museum was designed as a space dedicated to the life and legacy of Robert E. Lee. All material within the museum presents a balanced narrative of his life and influence. We decided to submit all exhibits so they can be reviewed in their entirety.
Arlington House in DC preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The park films at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “We are submitting the video shown within the museum at Arlington House, Robert E. Lee Memorial. This site was designated by Congress as a memorial to Robert E Lee. The museum was designed as a space dedicated to the life and legacy of Robert E. Lee. All material within the museum presents a balanced narrative of his life and influence. We decided to submit all exhibits, along with the film, so a...”
Why this matters: Arlington House is part of a network of over 400 national parks that serve as America's classrooms. The interpretive materials here were developed by subject-matter experts to help visitors understand the full story of this place. When historically accurate content is removed, the public loses access to its own history.
We are submitting the video shown within the museum at Arlington House, Robert E. Lee Memorial. This site was designated by Congress as a memorial to Robert E Lee. The museum was designed as a space dedicated to the life and legacy of Robert E. Lee. All material within the museum presents a balanced narrative of his life and influence. We decided to submit all exhibits, along with the film, so all can be reviewed in their entirety.
Unfortunately, the film is too large to upload (approximately 6 minutes and over 40mb). It was developed by Harpers Ferry Center so they may be able to provide you with a way to review. We were never given a transcript (but the video does have close captioning).
At Arlington House, the administration has flagged books and publications sold in the park bookstore for review under Secretary's Order 3431. Among the titles targeted: ARHO 5 and ARHO 9). These works, selected by park staff and partner organizations for their educational value, are now under scrutiny.
The flagged materials include content from “ARHO 5 and ARHO 9)”, targeted for review under the current directive.
Why this matters: Arlington House is part of a network of over 400 national parks that serve as America's classrooms. The interpretive materials here were developed by subject-matter experts to help visitors understand the full story of this place. When historically accurate content is removed, the public loses access to its own history.
We are submitting photos of 2 signs found within the grounds at Arlington House, Robert E. Lee Memorial. This site was designated by Congress as a memorial to Robert E Lee. All material within the site presents a balanced narrative of his life and influence. We would like these 2 signs, with similar text, reviewed. (Photos attached- ARHO 5 and ARHO 9)
Arlington House in DC preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The exhibit panels at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “We are submitting photos of 7 exhibits found within the house at Arlington House, Robert E. Lee Memorial. This site was designated by Congress as a memorial to Robert E Lee. All material within the house present a balanced narrative of his life and influence. We would like these 7 exhibits reviewed.”
Why this matters: Arlington House is part of a network of over 400 national parks that serve as America's classrooms. The interpretive materials here were developed by subject-matter experts to help visitors understand the full story of this place. When historically accurate content is removed, the public loses access to its own history.
We are submitting photos of 7 exhibits found within the house at Arlington House, Robert E. Lee Memorial. This site was designated by Congress as a memorial to Robert E Lee. All material within the house present a balanced narrative of his life and influence. We would like these 7 exhibits reviewed.
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