Absolon Kent

ANNANDALE, Va. — At an ordinary intersection I drive through regularly, a historical marker tells a fascinating Civil War story involving Robert E. Lee’s family, military occupation, and a daring band of Confederate Rangers.

The historic Ravensworth marker in Annandale, Virginia, tells the story of Ravensworth, the home of Anna Maria Fitzhugh. Built around 1796, the mansion later provided a temporary safe haven for Mary Randolph Custis Lee, the wife of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, at the beginning of the Civil War in 1861.

As the war unfolded, Ravensworth found itself caught between two armies. The property endured military occupation, the seizure of resources, and the challenges of living so close to the nation’s capital during a time of deep division. Confederate Major John S. Mosby and his Rangers even slept in a haystack on the property in 1863. The historic home ultimately burned in 1926.

Standing at this marker today, amid the everyday activity of Northern Virginia, I’m reminded of how much history lies along our daily routes. The past isn’t always found in museums or preserved buildings—sometimes, it’s right beside a busy road.

#TodaysAdventure #GetOutside #JustMe #KENTCANDO #AmericanHistory #VirginiaHistory #CivilWarHistory #MyAnnandale #MyDMV

LANDOVER, Md. — The Washington Commanders earned their first home victory of the 2026 season, defeating the Seattle Seahawks 33–31 at Northwest Stadium. The win marked the Commanders’ first victory of the season and snapped the Seahawks’ 12-game winning streak.

#TeamKent #KENTCANDO #FamilyTime #MyDMV #RaiseHail

WASHINGTON — It’s nice when you don’t have to travel far to discover a world of history, culture, and stories. Today, we started at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library for the District Vibes: American Pride exhibition, which offered a powerful look at how the people of D.C. have helped shape American culture—from neighborhoods and creativity to music, sports, food, and social change.

Then, we stopped at a true D.C. institution, Ben’s Chili Bowl for lunch. The final stops of the day were a visit to the African American Civil War Memorial and a sneak preview of the recently renovated African American Civil War Museum. The museum’s From Slavery to the White House: Tracing Michelle Obama’s Ancestry exhibition and The Glorious March to Victory: Civil War to Civil Rights were both informative and inspiring.

#TodaysAdventure #MyDMV #GetOutside #TeamKent #KENTCANDO #FamilyTime #AmericasNationalParks #WashingtonDC #BlackHistory #AmericanHistory

WASHINGTON — Last night, Thurraya and I had the honor of attending the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

For the past decade, this extraordinary museum has preserved, shared, and celebrated the stories, struggles, achievements, and enduring contributions of African Americans to our nation's history. Since opening in 2016, it has welcomed millions of visitors from around the world, becoming a place of education, reflection, inspiration, and hope.

The evening brought together guests to commemorate this important milestone with opening remarks, a special anniversary program, and an opportunity to celebrate the museum's remarkable first ten years. Walking through the museum and sharing in this celebration was a powerful reminder that history is not only something we study—it is something we preserve, honor, and pass on to future generations.

#TodaysAdventure #MyDMV #KENTCANDO #TeamKent #NMAAHC #Smithsonian  #BlackHistory #HistoryMatters