Kim O’Connell

Kim O’Connell is a writer who has lived in Arlington since 1996. With degrees in English literature and historic preservation, she enjoys writing about a wide range of topics related to history, nature, and culture.

Articles by This Contributor

The Life-Affirming Power of Volunteering

Volunteerism is on the decline nationwide. But within our local community is a world of good.

Tomb Raiders in Arlington

Arlington's once-grand Abbey Mausoleum was demolished after falling victim to vandals. But its treasures live on.

When Arlington Banned School Dances

A statewide attempt to stymie desegregation in the wake of Brown v. Board of Ed didn't stop local teens from finding their groove.

AI Has Entered the Classroom. Are We Ready?

Generative AI has made its way into K-12 schools whether we like it or not. Here's how teachers and students are using the technology.

Weird History: A Plane Crash at Bishop O’Connell

Remembering the day a pilot ran out of fuel and narrowly averted disaster in an Arlington schoolyard. 🛩️

It Was One of the Better Senior Pranks in Arlington’s History

That time a Bob's Big Boy mascot ended up on the roof of Wakefield High School...and other memorable acts of mischief.

A Place for Homegoing During Segregation

Chinn-Baker Funeral Service started out serving Arlington's Black community when others would not. It's still in business today.

Who Were the Rosslyn Mountain Boys?

During the disco era, this local country band made an ironic name for itself, sharing bills with Emmylou Harris and Jerry Lee Lewis.
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A Confederate Officer Built This House. Today Its Owner is Black.

Larry Chattoo has made peace with his home’s complicated past. The design speaks volumes.

Dog Sledding Adventures in Maryland

Get your thrills with an Iditarod-style winter outing within driving distance of D.C. Snow not required.

Searching for Selina Gray, Keeper of Arlington House

A cemetery near Mount Vernon may be the final resting place of the enslaved woman who held the keys to the Custis-Lee estate during the Civil War.

Remembering Arlington’s ‘Experiment in Free-Form Education’

Half a century ago, this short-lived experiment in student-directed learning was a precursor to the creation of H-B Woodlawn.