One Family's Service: Syphaxes in the Military

In 2024 a special exhibit opened at Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial. One Family's Service: Syphaxes in the Military is part of a commitment by National Park Service to present a more inclusive history of all the people who lived at Arlington House Plantation, including those who were enslaved there.

The Syphax family was one of the many families enslaved at Arlington House Plantation in the 19^th century. Many Syphax family members served their country in the United States military. This exhibit features profiles of six Syphax family veterans and displays artifacts related to both their military and public service. Two veterans were enlistees in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War, one of whom is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in section 27. Other Syphax veterans highlighted are a Tuskegee Airman, a Tuskegee Signal Soldier and a Cadet Corps Nurse serving during World War II, and a Nike missile site manager who served during the Cold War and was later elected to Congress.

This exhibit was created by Steve Hammond, a Syphax descendant, genealogist and family historian in coordination with the Arlington House Descendants’ Family Circle and Arlington National Cemetery. Mr. Hammond is retired having spent nearly 40 years as an earth scientist with the Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey. Steve’s involvement with Arlington House began with the first Syphax Family Reunion in 2009. Since then, he has been actively involved in a variety of ways including efforts to bring together members of descendant families and serving as a volunteer at Arlington House.The exhibit space is located at Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial in the South Slave Quarters. For more information please visit: https://www.nps.gov/arho/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm