First Stumbling Stone Dedication of 2026 - Alcova Heights
About this event
Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington, 1669-1865
The Arlington Historical Society and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington invite you to the unveiling of "Stumbling Stones." These bronze markers commemorate the lives of the enslaved people who helped build our county (and our country) and are placed in the sidewalk at the last known site of their enslavement. Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington’s research has revealed over 2750 enslaved people and identified 1050 by name.
Please join us for a Dedication Ceremony honoring five individuals once enslaved in the Alcova Heights neighborhood: John, Margaret Brown, and three people whose names are unknown.
When: 12:30 pm, Sunday, March 22, 2026
We will be honoring them at Arlington Presbyterian Church; 918 S. Lincoln Street; Arlington, VA 22204
Unveilings at South Lincoln and 9th Streets after the dedication ceremony and South Randolph and 8th Streets.
Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington seeks to shed light upon these early Americans who contributed so much to the economic, social, and cultural development of our county.
For more information, please contact Jessica Kaplan from the Arlington Historical Society at ahsedlink@gmail.com.
Their Story
In 1847, William and Elizabeth Berryman bought 34 acres of land by Columbia Pike and South Glebe Road. To build and maintain their farmhouse and cultivate the fields, the Berryman’s enslaved two young men and a woman, all under the age of 25. They cultivated oats, corn, and grains and took care of their home and family. Financial troubles caused the Berryman’s to sell their tract in 1853. What became of their enslaved people is unknown.
In 1851, John M. Young, a Washington, DC coachmaker, purchased 108 acres of mostly unimproved land north or Columbia Pike and west of the Berryman farm. Young used enslaved laborers John, Margaret Brown, and at least 2 others whose names are unknown to plant and maintain his plentiful peach and apple orchards and cultivate his fields.
John, born around 1805, was the subject of an 1855 Alexandria Gazette “runaway” advertisement. Young offered a $10 reward for John who fled his farm, most probably to visit his wife, enslaved in the District of Columbia.
Margaret, born before 1847, was placed in a Washington jail for two days by Young while he attended to business in the city. Jail records show Young paid $1.68 for imprisoning Margaret.
Help us celebrate and honor John, Margaret Brown, and three individuals whose names are unknown and gain a greater understanding of Arlington’s complicated past. Brief remarks will be offered.
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