Arlington Historical Society: Connecting Past, Present, & Future

The Arlington Historical Society, originally called the Cemetery Society, was founded August 27, 1887, to promote, develop, and support the process of collecting and preserving documents, pictures, and historical information pertaining to the founding and growth of Arlington, Texas.

Today the Society remains dedicated to the preservation of local history while serving as caretaker of the historic Fielder House where we are headquartered, the Fielder Museum, the city's historic cemeteries, and the Knapp Heritage Park.

The Fielder Museum is located at 1616 W. Abram Street, Arlington, TX 76013, and is open 11AM to 3PM Tuesday through Saturday and other times by appointment. Admission is $5.00 for ages 12 and over, free for children under 12... LEARN MORE

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AHS Bulletins

Arlington History Double-Header

FIELDER MUSEUM PRESENTS

An Arlington History Double-Header Event!

The Arlington Historical Society and Fielder Museum are proud to present an Arlington History Double-Header Event on Sunday, February 23, 2025. Join us at 2:00 PM for a presentation by Deb Cornelius, author of the newly published book Rivers and Destinies (Deb will be signing copies of the book following her presentation). At 3:30 PM, Art Sahlstein, discoverer of the Arlington Archosaur Site, will speak about the site and the important paleontological discoveries made there, followed by a Q&A session with the audience (SEE MORE BELOW).


Rivers and Destinies

RIVERS AND DESTINIES

Presentation & Book Signing by Author Deb Cornelius

Deb's novel tells the story of Bird's Fort settler Captain Mabel Gilbert from his early days as a riverboat captain to his arrival in Texas, the 1841 building of Bird's Fort and beyond.

Rivers and Destinies is a sweeping tale of courage, love, and resilience from 1797 to 1863. Against the backdrop of Tennessee, two boys form an unlikely bond that defies societal norms. Their friendship grows into a partnership as they leave behind the Red Oak plantation to brave the untamed wilderness of the West in search of freedom. Along the way, they navigate treacherous rivers, rugged terrain, and profound realizations about themselves in their world. This extraordinary journey of love, resilience, and shared dreams will resonate with anyone who believes in the power of human connection and the relentless pursuit of freedom.

Deb Cornelius is a Dallas-born storyteller who resides with her husband along the picturesque Red RIver, where the 22-mile Gilbert Creek meanders. Deb's academic journey began at the University of Oklahoma, where she completed her undergraduate studies and then a Master's degree from Midwestern State University.

2/23/2025 - Deb will Speak at 2:00 PM - Book Signing to Follow

Fielder Museum - 1616 W. Abram St. - Arlington, TX 76013


The Seashores of Ancient Arlington

THE SEASHORES OF ANCIENT ARLINGTON

Presentation and Q&A by Arlington Archosaur Site Discoverer Art Sahlstein

On a routine early morning prayer walk through undeveloped fields near Viridian, Art Sahlstein felt God throw him a bone. Or, as Sahlstein puts it, “Lots of bones.” Those bones turned out to be thousands of dinosaur fossils shallowly buried under sediment. The discovery in 2003 would soon change his life and put Arlington on the international map as a one-of-a-kind fossil hub. Art's speaking engagements were among Fielder Museum's most popular events in 2024. Don't miss this 2025 return engagement!

2/23/2025 - Art will Speak at 3:30 PM - Q&A to Follow

Fielder Museum - 1616 W. Abram St. - Arlington, TX 76013

AHS Venues

Arlington Fielder House

Fielder Museum

The historic Fielder Museum is home to the Arlington Historical Society and features themed exhibits and collections relating to the history and heritage of Arlington.


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Arlington Knapp Heritage Park

Knapp Heritage Park

Knapp Heritage Park is home to three of Arlington's oldest structures and serves as a public cultural and heritage facility. The Park is available for school tours, rentals, and more.


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Arlington Heritage Memorial Grounds

Arlington Heritage Memorial Grounds

The Arlington Heritage Memorial Grounds consists of three independently established cemeteries which serve as a monument to the history of Arlington and Tarrant County.


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Recent AHS History Articles

The Lives of Lake Sophia

If she is labeled at all on today’s maps, she is labeled Calloway Lake. Many thousands of years before the first Europeans arrived, she was a mighty bend in a broader and wilder Trinity River, orphaned when...

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In Memoriam: Beloved UTA Professor, Philanthropist Allan Saxe (1939 - 2024)

Allan Saxe, a beloved University of Texas at Arlington professor and prolific philanthropist, died at age 85...

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Texas & Pacific Engine 642: Next Stop, Oblivion

The late-winter rains of 1885 had been heavy, and on March 15 rain continued to fall, putting Village Creek between Fort Worth and Arlington in a mood...

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