Arlington Historical Society

08/30/2026

Today's 15-Minute History: Director's Cut with Daniel Gessel was standing room only at the Arlington Historical Museum. Daniel took us through the making of, the backstories, and the inside look at his 2021 documentary: "This is How Arlington Says Thank You: 9/11." This was an Eagle Scout project when he was in high school and now he has graduated from college and is developing his own documentary company. It was a very moving presentation and discussion and reminded us all how we came together as a nation after this horrible Pentagon tragedy.

You can see the video without commentary at the Arlington Historical Museum along with the 9/11 commemoration exhibit. (1805 S. Arlington Ridge Rd, Sat: 10-4 and Sun 1-4)

You can also watch it here without commentary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4LTwegwy10

08/30/2026

Last night, the Arlington Historical Society bade farewell to Sandy Newton, a stalwart volunteer. She re-enacted colonial spinning and weaving, spoke to groups large and small about gardening in early America. She is also an expert in handmade materials and cloth and identified many of AHS's "material" artifacts. She also ran the Ball-Sellers House kitchen garden planting vegetables and herbs like our forebears would have and donating produce to local food pantries. AND she was a docent at both Ball-sellers House AND the Arlington Historical Museum. We have been so lucky to have her with us. We've learned so much and we're thrilled to have helped our community learn more about life in early Virginia.

Sandy's husband has really retired and they are moving to be close to family in the mid-West. We wish you well, Sandy! We'll miss you!

08/30/2026

TODAY! 15 Minute History: Director’s Cut with Daniel Gessel – Remembering 9/11
Sunday, Aug 30 @ 2-3 PM
Arlington Historical Museum, 1805 S. Arlington Ridge Rd
Join Daniel Gessel as he discusses the making of This is How We Say Thank You: 9/11 in Arlington, his Eagle Scout project for AHS. Presented in a director’s commentary format, the film will be shown with pauses throughout, giving Gessel the opportunity to discuss the inspiration for the project, how he selected those he interviewed, memorable moments from filming, and the stories that didn’t make it onto the screen. Reflecting on the project as we approach 9/11’s 25th anniversary, he’ll also share what he learned about Arlington’s response to 9/11 while documenting one of the county’s most defining moments.

08/29/2026

TOMORROW! 15 Minute History: Director’s Cut with Daniel Gessel – Remembering 9/11
Sunday, Aug 30 @ 2-3 PM
Arlington Historical Museum, 1805 S. Arlington Ridge Rd
Join Daniel Gessel as he discusses the making of This is How We Say Thank You: 9/11 in Arlington, his Eagle Scout project for AHS. Presented in a director’s commentary format, the film will be shown with pauses throughout, giving Gessel the opportunity to discuss the inspiration for the project, how he selected those he interviewed, memorable moments from filming, and the stories that didn’t make it onto the screen. Reflecting on the project as we approach 9/11’s 25th anniversary, he’ll also share what he learned about Arlington’s response to 9/11 while documenting one of the county’s most defining moments.

08/28/2026

15 Minute History: Director’s Cut with Daniel Gessel – Remembering 9/11
Sunday, Aug 30 @ 2-3 PM
Arlington Historical Museum, 1805 S. Arlington Ridge Rd
Join Daniel Gessel as he discusses the making of This is How We Say Thank You: 9/11 in Arlington, his Eagle Scout project for AHS. Presented in a director’s commentary format, the film will be shown with pauses throughout, giving Gessel the opportunity to discuss the inspiration for the project, how he selected those he interviewed, memorable moments from filming, and the stories that didn’t make it onto the screen. Reflecting on the project as we approach 9/11’s 25th anniversary, he’ll also share what he learned about Arlington’s response to 9/11 while documenting one of the county’s most defining moments.

08/27/2026

The 25th anniversary of the attack on the pentagon was 25 years ago this September (September 11).
The Arlington Historical Society has several ways that you can learn more about it.
-- Aug 30 at 2PM: 15-Minute History: Director's Cut with Daniel Gessel: Remembering 9/11 (at the Arlington Historical Museum) Event details: https://arlhist.org/event/15-minute-history-directors-cut-with-daniel-gessel/ and video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4LTwegwy10
-- Arlington Fire Chief James Schwartz Remembers 9/11 (AHS You Tube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_a845lWx1M)
-- The Pentagon's 9/11 Memorial: https://arlhist.org/pentagon-9-11-memorial/
-- Books available through the AHS Museum Store:
+ "Firefight: Inside the Battle to Save the Pentagon" https://arlhist.org/product/book-firefight-inside-the-battle-to-save-the-pentagon-on-9-11/
+ "Then Came the Fire: Personal Accounts from the Pentagon, 11 Sep 2001" https://arlhist.org/product/book-then-came-the-fire-personal-accounts-from-the-pentagon-11-september-2001/
* "Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember" for young readers 8-12 years old.
https://arlhist.org/product/book-smoke-at-the-pentagon-poens-to-remember/

08/26/2026

Today, August 26, is National Dog Day.
As this writer is a HUGE dog fan, I'm posting two photo of an unnamed dog that Julia and Will Powell had when they all lived at the Ball-Sellers House. Will is posing with the pup on his lap in 1920. And we have a second photo of the dog as an adult.

We have no doubt that dogs were important in the life of this 280+ year old farmhouse. Since colonial times, dogs would have rooted out vermin around the house and helped hunt for game in the woods.

The Ball-Sellers House is open for free guided tours (Sat 1-4 PM) through October. Imagine where the dog would have loved to lie in the house.
Visit details here: https://arlhist.org/visit/

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

2026 Membership Drive for the Arlington Historical Society Nearing End
The Arlington Historical Society has been working on our membership campaign this summer. If you haven't renewed or become a new member, we need to hear from you. Please renew by September 1, 2026 to maintain or start your membership!

Your annual support of AHS allows us to keep two museums open to the public and conduct monthly events to educate others about Arlington's history. We rely on and appreciate member support in the past and are hopeful you will support AHS this year--our 70th!

Members receive monthly emails, newsletters, an annual magazine about Arlington with original and well-researched articles, and discounts for special events and at our museum bookstore. Sponsor and Life members also receive a NARM (North American Reciprocal Museums at https://narmassociation.org/ ) card providing discounted tickets to more than 1500 museums across the country.

You can renew quickly at https://arlhist.org/membership-application/. Questions? email us at [email protected]