The Arlington Historical Society’s recent annual dinner inaugurated a new tradition with the presentation of the organization’s first Lifetime Achievement Award.

The honor was presented to Edwin Bearss, chief historian emeritus of the National Park Service, for his service chronicling local and national history.

The award was presented by Tom Dickinson, immediate past president of the historical society and master of ceremonies at the dinner, which drew about 150 people to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) conference center.

At the event, Bearss spoke for more than an hour on topics of interest related to the local area and the Civil War, including the takeover of the Custis-Lee mansion (Arlington House) by federal troops during the war.

The Arlington Historical Society has been chronicling the community’s history since 1956. For information, see the Web site at www.arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

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