Ball-Sellers House (John Ball House)
About the Business
The Ball-Sellers House, also known as the John Ball House, is a historic museum and tourist attraction located at 5620 Third Street South in Arlington, Virginia. Built by farmer John Ball in the 1750s, it is the oldest structure in Arlington County. The house has been restored to its colonial era condition and is owned and operated by the Arlington Historical Society.
Three generations of the Carlin family, including Glencarlyn namesake William Carlin, owned the house after John Ball. The last private owner, Marian Sellers, donated the house to the Society in 1975. The building is on the National Register of Historic Sites and is designated a Virginia State Historical Landmark.
Visitors can enjoy free guided tours of the main floor, loft, root cellar, and grounds provided by knowledgeable docents. The tours cover the history of the house, its owners, and its significance in Arlington's history. The Ball-Sellers House is open from 1-4 pm on Saturdays from April through October, weather permitting.
If you are interested in a free tour for your group or would like to volunteer, you can contact the Arlington Historical Society at info@arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org. The Society relies on membership dues and donations to support the Arlington Historical Museum and Ball-Sellers House.
Photos
Location & Phone number
5620 3rd St S, Arlington, VA 22204, United States
Reviews
"Great example of mid-18th century yeoman farm family house. May be earliest wooden building in entire D.C. metro area. A must see for those interested in early colonial social and cultural history."
"VERY INTERESTING! Excellent tour guide who spent over an hour with us and answered all our questions. This is the oldest house in the area, and the original builder/owner/resident, John Ball, is the reason it's called Ballston. There are many original artifacts."
"Historic home in the Glencarlyn neighborhood of Arlington VA. Log cabin underneath the siding. It's a private home, but also had public events and tours. They did an archeological dig in the yard. Sometimes they have costumed actors."
"It's amazing to have this historic home in the middle of Arlington's Glencarlyn neighborhood. If you're interested in history, it's worth a visit. The main structure is still occupied and be aware that visiting hours are very limited."
"PLEASE NOTE: The museum is CLOSED from November through March, since there is no heat in the oldest section of the house. The museum reopens on the first Saturday in April. The Ball-Sellers is a quiet place to get a glimpse of Colonial era farm life. Space inside the museum is limited, so big group tours should be specially requested."
List of local businesses, places and services in Virginia
⭐ business help 🔍 services ☎ phones 🕒 opening times ✍️reviews 🌍 addresses, locations 📷 photos