After Lee’s death, this chess set passed to one of Lee's sons, Custis or Fitzhugh Lee. Accounts of Lee’s life at Arlington House and military forts around the country note his enjoyment of chess. While stationed at Fort Monroe in the first years of his marriage, Lee wrote letters to friends, played chess, and rode with his wife. Leisure time at Arlington was spent in a similar fashion, as he generally enjoyed evening at home over other social engagements.

Wood. L 27.5, W 26.9 cm
Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, ARHO 527