Photo of the Day: House on Hallowed Ground

Sitting high atop the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington House has a storied history.  Formally called the Custis-Lee Mansion, estate was built by George Washington Parke Custis began construction in 1801 and wasn't completely finished until 1818. It was built high above a peak just outside the nation's capital on what would later be known as Mount Washington. But the home is mostly widely known for its last resident, Confederate General Robert E Lee. Lee was a colonel in the US Army until the Civil War when he defected to his native Virginia and became the general for the Confederate Army. President Lincoln viewed this as being a traitor to his country so the US government seized the property and turned it into a national cemetery. Today the Arlington House still overlooks the Arlington National Cemetery from atop the peak and serves a memorial to Robert E Lee and his efforts to promote peace and reunion following the Civil War.  (Photo: February 15, 2009)

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