Proud to Be Small
The Black Heritage Museum of Arlington is proud to be a vibrant and dynamic institution, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of our community. Small museums like ours play a vital role in preserving local history, fostering community engagement, and offering unique experiences that inspire and educate.
By focusing on specific regional stories, we provide a personal connection to cultural heritage, empowering visitors to explore and appreciate their roots.
As a hub for social interaction, we bring people together, promoting a sense of community and shared identity. We strive to be a valuable resource for cultural tourism and heritage preservation, driving positive change and growth.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to welcoming you to the museum or one of our future events.
Happy May!
Rochester New York In The House!
We were thrilled to host a group of high-achieving high school scholars from Rochester, New York, who traveled from afar to delve into Arlington’s vibrant African-American heritage. These exceptional students, who have consistently excelled academically, are poised for greatness and asked insightful questions that sparked meaningful discussions. They’re eager to continue their exploration at the Arlington House.
Remembering Pelham Town
Pelham Town was another African-American neighborhood that disappeared and has largely been forgotten.
Moses Pelham, Sr., who acquired an adjacent one-acre parcel in 1893, subdivided the property upon his death among his six children: Burrell Pelham, Gibson Pelham, Moses Pelham, Jr., Annie Spriggs (née Pelham), Matilda Robinson (née Pelham), and Edward Pelham. The children built houses on the lots, and the area became informally known as “Pelham Town.”
Pelham Town was akin to a village, characterized by a close-knit community. The neighborhood’s scenery featured African-American children walking to school along a dirt Glebe Road, witnessing mules being used for the construction of the Old Dominion Railroad, and baptisms in Spout Run near today’s intersection of Langston Blvd and Kirkwood Road.
Pelham Town ceased to exist in the mid-1900s due to harassment and pressure from local white developers and Jim Crow housing laws aimed at displacing Black residents. A change in Arlington County’s housing laws after World War I required every home to be connected to the county water supply. However, according to William Pelham, “they installed city water and stipulated that connection was mandatory to obtain an occupancy permit. Nevertheless, they refused to allow me to connect my house. The white people moving into the area disliked my African-American tenants, so I sold.” Another issue arose when new roads constructed for a white housing development failed to connect to the existing streets in the community, thereby preventing residents of Pelham Town from accessing their homes reasonably.
Many members of the Pelham family remained in Arlington and relocated to the Hall’s Hill/Highview Park area. William Pelham became the longest-serving deacon at Mt. Salvation Baptist Church, serving over 50 years. The church’s cemetery was designated a historic district in 2021 and still contains the graves of numerous members of the Pelham family.
Join Us As We Memorialize The Enslaved in Arlington
Liza and Jinny were enslaved by Nicholas and Amanda Febrey. During the 1850s, the Febreys moved from their farm near Upton’s Hill to what is now Westover. During this period, they enslaved 6-7 people.
Very little is known about Liza and Jinny. The 1853 Virginia Birth Index records the birth of Jinny on June 7, 1853. Liza is listed as her mother and her father is listed as a “slave.” In the
1860 Census – Slave Schedule, Jinny appears as an eight-year-old enslaved by Nicholas Febrey, but Liza is not enumerated.
Perhaps she was hired out to another family or had died. Liza (if still alive) and Jinny were likely freed by the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863. They then disappear from the records.
Join us as we celebrate and honor Liza and Jinny and gain a greater understanding of Arlington’s complicated past.
We will be honoring them at 11:00am, Sunday May 4, 2025
Northeast Corner of Washington Boulevard and Notth 16th Street, Arlington VA 22207.
