[Illustration: U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR: March 3, 1849] UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Stewart L. Udall, _Secretary_ NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Conrad L. Wirth, _Director_ _HISTORICAL HANDBOOK NUMBER SIX_ This publication is one of a series of handbooks describing the historical and archeological areas in the National Park System administered by the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior. It is printed by the Government Printing Office and may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D. C. Price 25 cents. CUSTIS-LEE MANSION _The Robert E. Lee Memorial_ VIRGINIA _by Murray H. Nelligan_ [Illustration: Lee on Traveller] NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HISTORICAL HANDBOOK SERIES No. 6 WASHINGTON, D.C., 1950 (_REVISED 1962_) _The National Park System, of which Custis-Lee Mansion is a unit, is dedicated to conserving the scenic, scientific, and historic heritage of the United States for the benefit and enjoyment of its people._ [Illustration: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR] _Contents_ _Page_ History of Arlington to 1861 1 Arlington from 1861 to 1865 24 Arlington from 1865 to the Present 26 Guide to the House and Grounds 28 Visitor Service and Facilities 46 Administration 47 Suggested Readings 48 [Illustration: _General Robert E. Lee in 1865._ From the original photograph by Mathew Brady in the National Archives.] [Illustration: ] Ever since it was built more than a century ago, the Custis-Lee Mansion has dominated the scene across the river from the National Capital. An outstanding example of a Greek Revival building of the early nineteenth century, its dignity and strength, simplicity and steady grace, now make it a most appropriate national memorial to one of America’s greatest men, Robert E. Lee.