Small Chamber

partition originally divided this room with one side adjoining Miss Mary's room and the other adjoining the Lee Boys' Chamber. Desiring an additional guest room, Mrs. Lee received her father's permission to convert the two dressing rooms into this small bedchamber. As she wrote her husband on October 7, 1857, she had the partition removed and had a door opened into the Upper Hall, “I took the opportunity with Father's sanction to have the partition taken down between the two front dressing rooms…. as we are much in want of another room.”

	View of Small Chamber from Upper Hall.

This bedchamber is also one of the few imprints that the Lee's left on Arlington House, which had been built by the Custises and so reflected their needs and tastes. The room, which has a commanding view of the Potomac River and Washington, D.C., was used by the many guests which the Custis and Lee families hosted at Arlington. Guests and family members alike undoubtedly appreciated the cross ventilating breeze which flowed in through the new room which helped to cool the Upper Hall during the summer months.

Today, visitors marvel at the view which the Lees and Custises allowed their guests. A few original pieces are on display in the Small Guest Chamber, including a bronze frame which originally belonged to George Washington Parke Custis.

Continue the Tour

Click on the room you would like to visit next. To go to another floor, use the menu below the floorplan.