The Arlington Historical Society has a preservation education program for homeowners, real estate agents, and home builders. The program provides resources for all and a starting place for Arlingtonians to begin educating themselves on what preservation can mean to them.
News
A Preservation Success Story
In a rare piece of good news for historic preservationists, the Arlington county board appears poised to grant local historic district status to the handsome, 1912-vintage “Anderson House” home near Virginia Square. Owner Marie Schum-Brady worked with the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board and a rich county preservation staff history to lay the groundwork, which will enforce future design review and —perhaps— lessen risk of a tear-down at 3500 N. 14th Street. Read more here: https://arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org/a-preservation-success-story/
Education Program
For Homeowners, Real-Estate Agents, and Homebuilders
As part of the effort to improve preservation of historic properties, the Arlington Historical Society (AHS) has appealed to scores of area homeowners and dozens of home-builders and real estate agents.
“The recent demolition of several valuable properties including the historic Febrey-Lothrop house at 6407 Wilson Boulevard (shown at right) and the ‘Memory House’ at 6404 Washington Boulevard (below right), are key examples of beloved properties that fell to the wrecking ball without sufficient consideration, in our view, of creative alternatives,” the letter says. “We believe the best way to preserve more properties that reflect Arlington’s heritage is through education and negotiations that honor the interests of all parties.”
Acknowledging that the county is changing and expressing respect for “by-right ownership and the free-market considerations that go into home sales and improvements,” the Arlington Historical Society asks that owners, builders, and real estate agents conduct research on their properties before rushing to a tear-down option. “We feel that Arlington’s government, residents, and businesses could do more to preserve properties that represent either notable personages, events, or architectural styles,” the letter said.
Although AHS cannot offer official advice as to whether a given property is historic, it can assist in explorations of alternatives to demolition such as a historically minded buyer or an architect who could design a partial renovation.
AHS President Cathy Hix invites residents who have questions on the historic importance of any residential or commercial property to contact AHS via email: info@arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org or contact Arlington County’s Historic Preservation Program office at 703-228-3831.