The House at Arlington Cemetery
The House at Arlington Cemetery is a historic property located within the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, United States. The house has become an important landmark due to its close proximity to the cemetery, which is the final resting place of over 400,000 military servicemen and women.
Historical Background of the House
The house was built in the early 1800s by George Washington Parke Custis, the grandson of Martha Washington and step-grandson of George Washington. He built the house as a memorial to his grandfather, and it became known as the Custis-Lee Mansion. During the Civil War, the mansion was seized by the Union Army and was later used as the headquarters of the Arlington National Cemetery.
Ownership of the House before 1930
After the Civil War, the Custis-Lee Mansion was claimed by the U.S. Government due to unpaid taxes. The property was sold at a public auction in 1864, and the new owner leased the mansion to various tenants. In 1882, the property was purchased by the Lee family, who were descendants of Robert E. Lee, the Confederate general who had previously lived in the mansion.
Who Bought the House in 1930?
In 1920, the U.S. Government purchased the Custis-Lee Mansion and the surrounding property for $26 million. The property was managed by the War Department until 1930 when it was sold to John McLean, a wealthy newspaper publisher. McLean purchased the property for $102,000 and used it as his personal residence.
The House after the 1930 Purchase
After purchasing the house, John McLean made significant renovations to the property, including adding a new wing and a swimming pool. The house became a popular venue for social events, with McLean hosting parties for political and social elites of the time.
Ownership Transfer after the Death of the Owner
After John McLean’s death in 1957, the property was passed down to his heirs. However, there was a dispute over the ownership of the house, with some of McLean’s children claiming that he had intended to donate the property to the National Park Service. The legal battle lasted for several years until the court ruled in favor of McLean’s heirs.
Current Owner of the House
The Custis-Lee Mansion is currently owned by the National Park Service, and it is open to the public as a museum. Visitors can learn about the history of the property and its significance in American history.
Dispute over the Ownership of the House
There was a dispute over the ownership of the house in the 1970s, with a group of descendants of the Lee family claiming that the property had been taken from them illegally during the Civil War. The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the U.S. Government.
Resolution of Ownership Dispute
The Supreme Court ruling confirmed the U.S. Government’s ownership of the property, and it remains under the management of the National Park Service to this day.
What Happened to the House after the Dispute?
After the ownership dispute was resolved, the Custis-Lee Mansion underwent further renovations to restore it to its original 1860s appearance. The property is now a popular tourist destination and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Significance of the House at Arlington Cemetery
The Custis-Lee Mansion is significant due to its historical connections to the Washington and Lee families and its location within the Arlington National Cemetery. The property is a reminder of the sacrifices made by military servicemen and women throughout American history.
Conclusion: Who Owns the House at Arlington Cemetery?
The Custis-Lee Mansion is currently owned by the National Park Service, and it is open to the public as a museum. Despite several ownership disputes over the years, the property has remained an important landmark and a symbol of American history and patriotism.
