Green Valley in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Veterans Memorial Y.M.C.A.
Green Valley
In 1946, Arlington's African American community launched an ambitious fundraising campaign for the Veterans Memorial Branch Y.M.C.A. located at 3440 22nd Street South to address the pressing need for social facilities during widespread racial segregation in Arlington. The branch was completed in 1953 with Edmond C. Fleet, Jr., a lifelong activist and civilian pastry chef for the U.S. Navy, at its helm. His wife, Alice West Fleet, was equally influential, becoming the first African American reading teacher in Arlington's public school system and paving the way for integration.
Under the Fleets' and others' leadership, the Y.M.C.A. quickly became a haven for African American youth in Arlington. It offered a wide array of social activities for youth, providing essential opportunities for personal development, skill-building, and community bonding in a safe environment. The Y.M.C.A.'s community room emerged as a vibrant hub, hosting events that brought the neighborhood together. Regular dances and movie screenings fostered a sense of belonging and community pride among Arlington's African American youth.
When the Y.M.C.A.
this page online
Through major fundraising campaigns, enhancements to the Y.M.C.A. came in 1963 with the addition of a swimming pool. This new facility provided much-needed access to swimming facilities and life-saving skills training for the community, marking a significant milestone in the Branch's development and its service to Arlington's African American residents.
The legacy of the Veterans Memorial Branch Y.M.C.A. continued into the 21st century. In 2006, the Y.M.C.A.'s property was sold to Macedonia Baptist Church located across the street at 3412 22nd Street South, which committed to maintaining and expanding the Y.M.C.A.'s vital community services. From its inception in the 1940s onward, this institution has stood as a testament to the
Erected 2025 by Green Valley Civic Association; Arlington County, Virginia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1946.
Location. 38° 50.964′ N, 77° 5.127′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Green Valley. It is on South Kenmore Street south of 22nd Street South, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2221 S Kenmore St, Arlington VA 22207, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds 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 marker: Macedonia Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Arlington Lodge 58 (within shouting distance of this marker); Drew School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Origins of Green Valley (about 300 feet away); Community Businesses (about 300 feet away); Places of Worship (about 400 feet away); Recreation (about 400 feet away); Living and Learning (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
