By Natalie Roy

Lyon Park was extremely proud to be a part of the Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington Project (MEA), aka Stumbling Stones. This groundbreaking initiative is co-led by the Arlington Historical Society and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington. It is the first program of its type being conducted in the South, to commemorate the names and lives of those long erased by history. Lyon Park’s Stumbling Stones dedication honored two enslaved men, Orville and Jackson, born almost 200 years ago, who lived and worked in an area that is now Lyon Park. The beautiful stones were placed on the southwest corner of Lyon Park, on 4th Street North and N Garfield Street. 

The idea of bronze plaques, and the Memorializing the Enslaved effort, is modeled after the project conceived by German artist Gunter Demnig to honor Holocaust victims by placing 10-centimeter brass plaques known as Stolpersteine or “stumbling stones,” at the sites where Holocaust victims once lived. Today, more than 100,000 Stolpersteine can be found throughout Europe constituting the largest decentralized monument in the world. Michele Norris’s June 3, 2021 op-ed article in the Washington Post, “Germany Faced Its Terrible Past. Can We Do the Same?” prompted interest to recognize and honor those in Arlington who suffered grave wrongs. As the Talmud states, “A person is only forgotten when his or her name is forgotten.” 

More information on the two men being recognized can be found on page 7. You can also find more information on the MEA program here: https://arlingtonblackheritage.org/history/mea-project/

We always need to learn from our history, the good, the bad and the ugly. That famous quote, that “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” rings true, especially in these current turbulent times. The MEA program is a core part of a much larger effort to ensure real and lasting change. We have come a long way but there is so much more to do. 

By Natalie Roy

Jackson and Orville were enslaved by Bushrod W. Hunter, a Lieutenant in the US Navy and the owner of the “Brookdale” estate, 400 acres of land that makes up today’s Ashton Heights, Lyon Park, and Arlington Heights neighborhoods. Bushrod oversaw a second estate, Abingdon (now National Airport). The plantation was owned by Bushrod’s brother Alexander Hunter, but upon his death in 1849, Bushrod’s son, also Alexander, inherited the property. Alexander was a minor so Bushrod legally operated Abingdon until Alexander turned 18 years old. From 1851–1859, tax records indicate that at various times, Bushrod Hunter enslaved between 18 and 36 people at his two estates. On the 1860 census, Bushrod enslaved 20 people.

Jackson, or Jack, was born around 1830 and grew up at Abingdon. On Alexander Hunter’s probate inventory, taken to tally his possessions at the time of his death, Jackson was listed as a 20-year-old enslaved man worth $450. Jackson labored at both the Brookdale and Abingdon estates. Bushrod Hunter’s diary entry of March 12, 1861, indicates that Jackson was farming at Brookdale that day. The entry read, “Started 3 two horse plows in the far field for oats. Jack finished sowing clover seed at Brookdale, 3 carts hauling manure.”

Orville was born around 1827. While little is known about his life, his appearance in an 1857 newspaper advertisement in the Alexandria Gazette provided invaluable information including his name, physical appearance, and relationships. The advertisement was placed by Bushrod who offered a $50 reward for the “apprehension of his servant man, Orville.” Orville had gone to visit his wife, “who lived with the widow of the late Mr. Towers but had not returned.” Research did not reveal where in the District of Columbia-Northern Virginia region Widow Towers lived. It was common for enslaved people to leave or temporarily “run away” from their place of enslavement to visit loved ones from whom they had been separated. In the body of the advertisement, Bushrod describes Orville’s appearance. [He] is a mulatto (not very bright) and about 30 years of age, short and stout, with a broad face and (I think) a scar on the forehead.” It’s unclear whether Orville was captured and forced to return to Bushrod Hunter’s estates. 

Thank you for helping honor the lives and contributions of Jackson and Orville. Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington hopes you have gained a greater understanding of Arlington’s complicated past. 

By Thora Colot, former President—and Lifetime Member—of the LPCA

Three exhibit cases have been installed in the hallway that separates the kitchen from the main meeting room. These three cases will be filled with historic materials, photographs, facsimiles, and artifacts to tell the story of the community and the pride generations have demonstrated in its upkeep and preservation over the years.

But—why now? Elizabeth Sheehy spearheaded a grant application to Arlington County’s Historic Preservation Fund last year. She has long been aware of the historic records from 1919 on that have never been adequately archived nor stored. Before anything further could happen to them, she applied for and got this grant to digitize the records, and through this process, as well as outdoor signs and exhibit cases, make the history of Lyon Park more available to everyone. Thank you, Elizabeth! The goal of the exhibits in the cases will be to share the unique history of Lyon Park with everyone that uses the building. Even renters will understand what an incredible space they’re able to use through the information in the exhibits—the displays will add one more reason why the Community House is so unique to Arlington. 

Our goal is that the themes in the three cases will focus on:

Recognizing the supreme contributions of the many people throughout the years that have built, renovated and kept the Community House an important and extremely usable and useful historic part of the story of Arlington

Displaying artifacts and examples of past activities that demonstrate the true meaning of community, through events such as performances, lectures, girl scout meetings, as well as minutes of the first Women’s Club.

Highlighting photographs and other evidence that testify the community spirit is still alive through the ongoing efforts of everyone to make sure a cupcake sale, a food truck music evening, the spring fair and the Egg Hunt (among others!) continue to bring the neighborhood together. 

Every resident of Lyon Park actually owns Lyon Park and the Community House! This makes us unique among neighborhoods in Arlington. Under our stewardship, they will not only be vital to the future of the community, but also continue to bond us, nurture our children and provide a place with activities for everyone! We are so grateful for community members that have tirelessly contributed time and energy that helps to keep this mission alive. 

You can now submit your application to order a historical Lyon Park house plaque. 

The plaques are made of bronze and measure approximately 7″ wide by 5″ tall.

Simply fill out the application form and submit it along with your payment of $275.