Fort Myer in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Kingdom of my childhood
Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial
— George Washington Memorial Parkway, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Kingdom of my childhood
Mildred Lee, the youngest of the Lee children, in her recollection of the flower gardens
Through her bedroom window, Mary Custis gazed over a blooming acre of pinks, yellows, and reds. Gravel paths curved around geometric, orderly flower beds. The Custis and Lee women each had a spot to grow "the beauties of nature and art," including 11 types of roses. Within the white picket fence, enslaved workers did much of the work—tended and planting and picking bouquets for market.
My mother spent hours here, digging, weeding, and directing 'Old George,' little George, Uncle Ephraim, Billy and swarms of small Ethiopians.
Mildred Lee
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Women.
Location. 38° 52.846′ N, 77° 4.363′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Fort Myer. Marker can be reached from Sherman Drive, 0.1 miles north of
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Garden to Graves (here, next to this marker); A Place of Division and Reunification (a few steps from this marker); Trophy of War (a few steps from this marker); The Gray Family (a few steps from this marker); Guardian of a Nation's Heritage (within shouting distance of this marker); Long Haul (within shouting distance of this marker); Division and Reunification (within shouting distance of this marker); Platforms of Power (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Additional keywords. enslaved labor | Kingdom of my childhood
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 134 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 20, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
