Libraries
Virginia Room
The Virginia Room of Arlington County Public Library was established to provide a central reference service and repository for Arlington County's historical resources as well as published materials for the region and state.
The collection includes published and non-published materials that focus primarily on Arlington County (formerly Alexandria County), both current affairs and the history of the county. The Arlington Community Archives, which is part of the collection, consists of personal, organization, and local materials that can be accessed by finding aids.
September 11th Oral History Project
In commemoration of the 5th anniversary of the attacks of September 11th, 2001, the Virginia Room completed an oral history project, recording the memories of firefighters, police officers, educators and Arlington citizens. Virginia Room staff collected over 30 interviews with people of all backgrounds, each with their own unique set of experiences and opinions about September 11th and how it affected Arlington and the United States as a whole. This oral history project is filled with visceral images and thoughtful reminiscences that capture a historic day through many different eyes.
Selected quotations and audio clips are available online. Full transcriptions and recordings are available in the Virginia Room.
Resources Available
Maps
- Arlington area maps from 1600s to present
- Topographic maps
- Sanborn Insurance Maps of Arlington County
- Regional and state maps
Genealogy
- Census (local microfilm reels)
- Family Histories (local)
- Court Records (local)
- PERSI (Periodical Source Index)
Newspapers
Local newspapers on microfilm and indexed since 1981
- Harper's Weekly and/or Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper for the 1860s
- Alexandria Gazette, Feb. 1784-Dec. 1811 and Nov. 8, 1924-Feb. 13, 1936
Audio-Visual Materials
- County Board meetings dating back to 1983 (more recent meetings are available online or at Plaza Library)
- Committee of 100 meetings
- Selected library programs on Arlington history
Vertical Files
The vertical files contain clippings from newspapers and magazines, pamphlets and other uncataloged material. There are two general files: the Arlington or local history file and a file for the state of Virginia.
Oral History Interviews
Oral history interviews with knowledgeable residents, community activists, county officials, etc.
Directories
Random issues from 1912 to present: county, telephone and real estate directories.
Periodicals
Magazines and journals related to local history and Virginia, including the Arlington Historical Magazine, which has been indexed.
Legislative Information
- Acts of Assembly, House and Senate Documents, House and Senate Journals
- Tracking of General Assembly bills available from librarians
Documents
Local, regional, and state documents.
NOTE: Since some of the collection is kept at a repository off-site, please phone or write ahead to assure that the material you wish to use will be available when you arrive.
Local Related Websites
Arlington Historical Society
http://www.arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org/
National Genealogical Society
http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/
Virginia General Assembly
http://legis.state.va.us/
VIRGINIA ROOM HOURS
Monday: 10 am-5 pm
Tuesday: 10 am-5 pm
Wednesday: 1 pm-9 pm
Thursday: 10 am-5 pm
Saturday: 10 am-5 pm
Phone: 703-228-5966
