Center Hall

long corridor extending from the front to the back of Arlington House, this hallway was the scene of many happy homecomings and fond farewells for Robert E. Lee and his family. The Lees and Custises used the hall as a sitting room during the summer as the high ceiling and tall doorways at either end provided a refreshing cross-ventilating draft during hot weather. On warm evenings family members and guests would gather here to converse or read aloud to one another.

	View of Center Hall facing West.

The center hall also served as an entrance room where the Custises and Lees received guests, who were many and varied at Arlington; political and artistic friends of Mr. Custis, military friends of the Lees, social acquaintances, visiting relatives, and even total strangers on pilgrimage to see the “Washington Treasury” came into this room. Visitors were usually greeted by Daniel Dobson, the slave coachman and butler, or by members of the family. Some completed their business in the center hall. Others were welcomed into the parlors for a more extended visit. Extended family members and close friends often stayed for weeks or even months.

Completed in 1818, the Center Hall was modified only slightly during the historic period. The tall narrow doors at each end of the hall are characteristic of the Greek temples from which the mansion was adapted and the graceful round arches at the west end are typical of George Hadfield's architectural work. Suspended from the ceiling in the middle of the hall is a replica of the famous Mount Vernon lantern, the original of which hung here for more than 50 years. The walls are dominated by copies of the many Custis and Washington family portraits that adorned this hallway for the nearly 60 years the family lived here. Through these portraits, modern-day visitors get a taste of the rich family history and stories associated with the Arlington estate.

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