Fort Myer in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Guardian of a Nation's Heritage
Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2013
1. Guardian of a Nation's Heritage Marker
Selina Gray, her husband, and their eight children lived in the room to your right. She was Mrs. Lee's personal maid and later the head housekeeper. Her parents had been Mt. Vernon slaves, so she grew up steeped in the lore of George Washington.
In May of 1861 on the eve of the Civil War, Mrs. Lee abandoned her home. She left the household keys with Mrs. Gray, entrusting her with the Washington Treasury, cherished heirlooms that once belonged to George and Martha Washington (Mrs. Lee's great grandmother.) By assuming stewardship of these revered artifacts, Mrs. Gray became, in a broad sense, the guardian of the heritage of the young nation.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1861.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 52.859′ N, 77° 4.377′ W. Marker was in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It was in Fort Myer. It could be reached from Sherman Drive 0.2 miles south of Lincoln Drive,
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Long Haul (here, next to this marker); The Gray Family (a few steps from this marker); A Place of Division and Reunification (a few steps from this marker);
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2013
2. Guardian of a Nation's Heritage Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Selina Gray (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Kingdom of My Childhood (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Arlington Woodlands (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Flower Garden (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Also see . . . Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial. National Park Service (Submitted on December 1, 2013.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 732 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on July 3, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 30, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
