By Kathleen McSweeney

Gary and Kit Putnam have lived in their historic Lyon Park home at 261 N Barton Street for four decades. It was the former residence of Raymond and Gertrude Bonnin, the latter more popularly known as Zitkála-Šá, Native American musician, composer, author, and activist. Gary and Kit fell in love with it, especially the huge windows that fill the house with sun, and purchased the home in 1983. Entering the Putnam’s living room today, visitors are greeted with a framed photo of Zitkála-Šá.

Kit and Gary were married on August 2, 1980 at Colvin Run Mill, a venue where Kit often played with her music group. Her instruments were the lap dulcimer, the fiddle, and a percussive wooden folk instrument called “dancing man.” Gary summed up their courtship as follows: “She batted her eyes, I pounded my chest, and I chased her until she caught me.” 

Originally from North Carolina, Gary began work there as a journalist. A newspaper in Richmond brought him to Virginia in the early 1960s. A man of many talents, Gary has been a journalist, a photographer, an apprentice to a dulcimer-maker (estimating he hand-crafted a total of over 300 instruments with his mentor and on his own), a talented cook (just ask attendees of the monthly Woman’s Club luncheons, or neighbors who attended his cooking classes at the LPCC), co-owner with Kit of “Black and White” a photography and archival print studio. He enjoys his role as Santa for the Humane Rescue Alliance, the annual Lyon Park Holiday celebration and neighborhood sleigh rides. Over the years, Gary has served as kitchen coordinator and cook for the annual Spring Fair, Chili Dinner, Spaghetti Dinner and other events. He currently serves as one of three Trustees of Lyon Park.

Kit was born in Richmond. After WWII her family moved to a brick duplex in Fort Barnard Heights (now part of Nauck). Her home overlooked the W&OD Railroad tracks (now the trail) and she remembers standing on the hill, waving to conductors as trains passed. She remembers that the banks of Four Mile Run were then used as a dump—the County would periodically burn the trash, tamp it down, and it became infill. She recalls when Weenie Beanie came to the neighborhood. Her family later moved to Claremont, and Kit attended the new Wakefield School from 7th grade through graduation.  She and Gary mentored high school interns in their small business and are still in touch with many of them. For years, Kit has served as a member of the Board of Governors, sells cupcakes at Woman’s Club bake sales, distributes donuts at the Halloween bonfire, and decorates for community events. With Gary, she attends the Woman’s Club luncheons and for decades has distributed the neighborhood newsletter. 

They are most proud of the three years of circulating petitions and working with neighbors and the County to close their end of Barton Street at Washington Blvd.  Closing the street created the feel of a small village. They have enjoyed watching two generations of families grow up on Barton Street and are gratified to be a part of this community. When they retired in 2008, they decided to stay because of their community connections and inclusiveness of Arlington.  They describe Lyon Park as “a very special place.”