Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial Tickets

Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial is a place to explore the complexities of life in the mid 1800s as America entered the Civil War over the cause of slavery. In April of 1861, Robert E. Lee signed his resignation from the Union Army and soon after joined the Confederacy to fight for Virginia's secession, forever changing the course of his family's legacy. It is also a place of study and contemplation of the meaning of some of the most difficult aspects of American History: military service; sacrifice; citizenship; duty; loyalty; slavery and freedom. A 20-minute self-guided tour in the North wing of Arlington House on the first floor is available by a timed ticket system. Ranger-led tours view the outside of the house and grounds and cover a variety of topics. Other self-directed activities that do not require a ticket include visiting the museum on site, seeing the North and South Slave Quarters and exhibits, the garden and grounds areas, and the bookstore.