Gift to restore Robert E. Lees home

Arlington, Va.

A historic plantation originally built as a monument to George Washington overlooking the nations capital, a site that later was home to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and 63 slaves, will be restored to its historical appearance using a $12.3 million gift from a wealthy history buff.

David Rubenstein, a billionaire history buff and co-founder of The Carlyle Group, said July 17 he is giving the National Park Foundation the funds needed for a full restoration of the historic house, grounds and slave quarters to show visitors how they appeared in 1860, as well as an overhaul of the sites museum exhibits. Rubenstein said the site crowns the most sacred land in the country, Arlington National Cemetery, but needed major repairs.

Rubenstein also has given multimillion-dollar gifts in recent years to restore the Washington Monument, the first presidents Mount Vernon estate and Thomas Jeffersons home at Monticello, including a recreation of its historic slave quarters.

The goal is to remind people of American history, Rubenstein said. I think when youre restoring history, you should remind people of the good and the bad.

Arlington House, as it is known, was built between 1802 and 1818 by Washingtons step-grandson, George Washington Parke Custis and his slaves on a hilltop overlooking the new capital city and the Potomac River. Lee later married into the family, and it became his familys plantation estate.

After Lee resigned from the Union army and joined the Confederacy, Union troops captured the estate during the Civil War and made it their military headquarters to defend Washington from Virginia. Graffiti from Civil War soldiers is still visible in the mansions attic.

After the war, the area became a community for emancipated slaves, and Union troops began burying their war dead on the grounds, in part to prevent Lee from returning. It eventually became Arlington National Cemetery, the burial site for many soldiers as well as President John F. Kennedy.

The 200-year-old house and grounds symbolize the nations reconciliation after the Civil War, said National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis, but it is in poor condition.

The roof leaks inside, and the climate control system is so unstable some artwork cant be displayed. Decorative paint on the buildings facade is peeling away. Exhibits in a nearby museum building havent been updated in 30 years. The needs are part of an $11 billion backlog on maintenance across the national parks.

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Gift to restore Robert E. Lees home