Town in Massachusetts, United States
Photo: Tim Pierce, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Arlington is a town of 46,000 people (2020) in Massachusetts. It is a largely residential town; many of its residents are employed in Cambridge, Boston and surrounding towns. It has several historical sites that reflect its history that dates back to the early 17th century.
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Features the work of American sculptor, Cyrus E. Dallin (1861-1944) who lived and worked in Arlington for over 40 years. His works include the Paul Revere statue in Boston's North End and Appeal to the Great Spirit in front of Boston's Museum of Fine arts.
The Jason Russell House, built in 1740, still bears bullet holes as the site of bloody fighting on the first day of the American Revolution. British soldiers, in retreat from Lexington and Concord, shot and bayoneted Jason Russell on his own doorstep. Eleven other area Minute Men, who had gathered in Arlington, due to its strategic location, also lost their lives here in the April 19, 1775 skirmish. The Jason Russell House is attached to the Smith Museum. Admission covers both.
The Old Schwamb Mill is a continuously operating site where immigrant Puritan, Yankee, and German entrepreneurs used water power from the adjacent brook to run machines and develop a series of family-owned businesses. Today the mill continues to produce museum quality hand turned wooden oval and circular frames. Visitors can tour the facility and see how these frames are made.
Prince Hall Cemetery
This historic cemetery is said to be the only remaining African American Masonic cemetery in the United States.
On exhibit in the Smith Museum is "Family Ties: 200 Years of Arlington Town Life". In 1807 West Cambridge (now Arlington) separated from Cambridge, and the exhibit celebrates the old Puritan-era settlers and the vibrant immigrant families of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The Smith Museum is attached to the Jason Russell House. Admission covers both.
Commemorates Arlington as the birthplace of Samuel Wilson, better known as "Uncle Sam".
Spy Pond Park has a children's playground, benches and several grassy areas where you can relax and enjoy the view.
AIFF runs a yearly film festival in the Fall and sponsors other film-related events year round. Films are selected that develop, promote, and increase multicultural awareness and understanding.
Contemporary Mexican. Full bar.
Asian. Full bar.
Casual, contemporary American. Full bar. Part of a small chain.
Indian. Full bar.
Persian/Iranian cuisine.
Contemporary American cuisine.
Thai. Beer and wine only.
Japanese, Sushi Bar.
Contemporary American cuisine.
Inventive pizzas made with locally sourced ingredients. Beer and wine only.
Large selections of farm fresh produce and locally raised, meat, local cheese, eggs, fish, honey, maple syrup, and flowers. Also baked goods from local area bakeries and restaurants.
Eclectic boutique offering fresh flowers, garden statuary, tools and ornaments, home furnishings and accessories, along with a selection of soaps and lotions.
By car
Arlington is bounded on the south by Route 2, a major transportation route allowing access to Boston and the western part of Massachusetts.
By public transit
The MBTA Red Line stops at Alewife station on the Arlington border. From there, you can take the 67 bus which runs to Arlington Center.
By bike
Arlington has several Bluebikes bicycle rental stations which can be used for trips within Arlington and to certain neighboring cities and towns.
The Minuteman Bikeway is a well-used bicycle and pedestrian path built on a former railroad right-of-way.
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