English: Looking north from the doorway in the northwest corner of the Parlor at Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial, at Arlington National Cemetery. The Parlor is in the front half of the center section of the house, north of the Main Hall (the entrance). The hallway beyond is a "center passage" that leads into the North Wing, where a small bedroom, sewing room, and sitting room were located. (What was once an open-air arcade along the west side of the passage was later enclosed by the Lees, and was used as a "servants' hall.")

You can see some of the major structural damage caused by the earthquake here. The North Wing is closed to the public because of this.

Beginning in 2008, Arlington House began a major conservation and restoration effort. A modern HVAC system was installed to help prevent moisture and mold damage to the house and its contents, and conservation and restoration of its structural elements also occurred. The effort was due to end in 2012, but the August 2011 earthquake resulted in moderate structural damage to the house. The back wall separated from the mansion, requiring the rear passageway and conservatory to be declared off-limits. The second floor is also closed to visitors. The National Park Service says it has no idea when the house will reopen, as most NPS money is going for repairs to the Washington Monument.

Arlington House was built by George Washington Parke Custis, adopted son of George Washington, in 1803. George Hadfield, also partially designed the United States Capitol, designed the mansion. The north and south wings were completed between 1802 and 1804. but the large center section and portico were not finished until 1817.

George Washington Parke Custis died in 1857, leaving the Arlington estate and house to his eldest daughter, Mary Custis Lee -- wife of General Robert E. Lee.