Lee Boys' Chamber

he Lee's three sons, George Washington Custis Lee, William Henry Fitzhugh “Rooney” Lee and Robert Edward Lee, Jr., occupied this bedchamber. Growing up at Arlington, the Lee boys became very close to their grandfather, George Washington Parke Custis and each inherited lands for Mr. Custis upon his death in 1857. Custis Lee, the eldest son, inherited Arlington and managed the estate in 1859 when Robert E. Lee, the executor of the estate, returned to active service in the Army.

	View of Lee Boys' Chamber from Upper Hall. Click on picture to view QuickTime movie of the room. (319 KB) QuickTime plug-in is required and can be downloaded free at the QuickTime Web site.

The blue U.S. Army uniforms draped on the chair and trunk represent Custis and Rooney's service as U.S. Army officers prior to the Civil War. Like their father, all three Lee sons would side with Virginia during the Civil War and join the Confederate Army.

Several original pieces can be seen in the room today, including the traveling chess set which Robert E. Lee used during his army career.

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