menokin

While I was on vacation last month in the Northern Neck of Virginia I visited Menokin. I had been to the site before it was opened to the public and I must say how excited I am to see the preservation and interpretation work going on there now. The remains of the house are still architecturally significant and the plans for the glass structure to help visitors understand the lost fabric are very exciting! The staff was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and friendly. A visit to Menokin makes a great day trip for anyone from the most casual traveler to the serious scholar interested in American history, architecture or preservation.

I'd heard a lecture at the Virginia Historical Society about Menokin and the efforts to restore it. Just last January, I'd seen an exhibit at the Virginia Center for Architecture of design plans envisioned by Harvard Graduate School of Design students. So my curiosity about the real thing had been piqued twice. The heavy gray skies and impending rain were a dramatic backdrop as we pulled up to the 500-acre estate (back in original owner and Declaration of Independence signer Francis Lightfoot Lee's day, it had been 1,000 acres) for a look around. We got a warm welcome from the staff, who even allowed our dog inside the visitor center with us. Liberal leash laws make Menokin extremely pet-friendly.A short film told us additional history about the plantation, but I was more impressed with the room full of architectural features removed from the house back in the '60s and destined to be returned once the ruins are enclosed with glass walls.Closet doors, mantel pieces, the front door keystone and many other significant elements of the original house had been presciently stored away in a peanut barn at Bacon's Castle a half century ago and await return to their home.Then we went to the ruins, which are striking because when the roof eventually collapsed, it left standing two corner sections of wall diagonally across from each other and two massive chimneys, in addition to various other bits of walls and cellar, now all somewhat protected under a large shed.The once-terraced gardens that sloped gradually down to Cat Point Creek are now overgrown with trees blocking the view, but restoration of the grounds will come in phase two of the project after the house is redone.Never one to pass up a good water view, we took the trail from a well-marked trailhead down through the woods past walnut trees (the ground under them a minefield of green nuts), dogwoods, American beeches, dark cherry trees and tulip poplars until reaching the creek, serene and silver on this day.Old Lightfoot Lee and the wife must have had a marvelous waterfront view back in the 18th century.Today it was all ours.This is a beautiful spot to spend time on the northern neck. Don't miss it.

Menokin was a great find on our trip to Eastern VA. It was wonderful to see the remains of the home and to see what the foundation has planned for preserving those remains. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. We would love to return once more work is done.

Menokin is and will be a wonderful attraction. It is a work in progress but will be worth the wait. If you like architecture, restoration, and American history, you will enjoy your time at Menokin. My husband and I discovered Menokin on our last trip to Virginia and we look forward to going back. The staff was wonderfully helpful and informative and made us feel right at home. I can not wait to see the progress they make in restoring this great old property in the years to come.

Very friendly and personable staff. Neat old house, looking forward to visiting again once the work on it is complete!

We enjoyed the visitor's center, tour of the house/ruin, and explanation of the fascinating plan for Menokin's conservation and future. I was so impressed by the tour and our guide's deep knowledge. It was like no other historic house tour we've taken. I look forward to following the next steps in the Menokin Project. http://www.menokin.org/Menokin%20Project%20Vision.html

We travel with our dogs and this place was 100% dog friendly (no leash required). The visitor center is very nice and staffed by lovely and helpful ladies offering treats and water for the dogs and took their picture for their facebook page. The ruins are much more than we expected, and there were nice nature trails we and the dogs enjoyed very much. Definitely worth stopping by.

Menokin is unlike any historical site you'll ever visit! I having seen Menokin on many occasions, having grown up in the Northern Neck. I was aware of the work being done and followed it online. On a recent trip to Warsaw, I visited again with family and was amazed at the effort being put into this beautiful building. I will definitely return to see the progress of the house as it is partially encapsulated in glass and used as a learning, living exhibit of construction methods of that period. I also look forward to seeing the portion of the house that will be restored with all the incredible woodwork stored at the visitors' center. The short video is a must-see and people are warm and friendly. Loved it!

On our way through the Northern Neck, my wife and I decided to stop at this site because of the importance of Francis Lightfoot Lee. We knew that the house was in ruins and certainly did not expect much from an architectural standpoint. Our stop was well worth the time. The Visitors' Center and all the efforts made in preserving this unique house are top-notch. As others describe, the approach in preserving this house is fascinating and without parallel in the United States. Rebuild an old house and you have just another old, pretty house that awaits the occasional visitor. Invisibly rebuilding a house that exposures the building techniques and our imaginations is an entirely different approach to preservation. Be aware that they are not there yet. It is a work in progress, so don't go with the highest expections. Do appreciate the vision and creativity of folks behind this project.

Talk about living history. Menokin has it all. It is much like the area, alive with history and to be the the home of a signer or The Declaration of Independencea and open to the public...it doesn't get anybetter.

We were taking day trips for our summer vacation and stumbled upon this gem of a place. The visitors center was a fantastic experience and the plans for the ruins Are awesome...can't wait to see the finished product!

Menokin is the home of Francis Lightfoot Lee, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The home was in ruins and rather than just rebuilding the house, it was decided to create a portion of the building and use glass for parts so people will be able to see how the house was built. There is a visitor's center with much information as well as some of the actual doors, fireplace, and other wooden parts which will be included in the reworking. There are also trails.

We have been visiting in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck for some time, and decided it was time to see some of the historic sites. We stopped by at Menokin on the recommendation of some friends. What a fascinating place. Not only is it a 1769 home of one of the signer's of the Declaration of Independence -- Francis Lightfoot Lee -- but it is being preserved in its present deteriorated state so that construction techniques of the 18th Century are visible and can be studied. A very different kind of site -- we were fascinated and hope to go back.

The tour of Visitor Center, video and home site was very impressive both historically and architecturally. Anyone that enjoys both history and architecture along with the building of America must tour Menokin and The Northern Neck of Virginia. The birth place of Monroe, Washington, Francis Lightfoot Lee and so many other important statesmen of that era lived here, worked here, raised families here and over saw the birth of a "new nation", is simply mind boggling. From the Revolutionary War to the War Between the States this area has had a major and lasting impact on this Nation. Well worth your time to visit Menokin. Open your eyes and ears to how our founders struggled, fought and died.

I had stopped by for a quick look at this place and knew I had to return with friends. The first look at the property leaves everyone with a look of incredulous suprise on their face. A house that is more ruins then anything else but wait... the missing parts are being recreated with 'glass panels'. Yes - you read that right. The visitor's center provided the history, the story and a glimpse into the future. Virginia is full of restored historicial homes so it was actually pretty cool to see up close (on platforms & stairs) the 'skeleton' of the house and how it's stood up (or not) over time. There's one thing for sure... this project invites discussion and excitement. You can just go and look but I would recommend taking the tour. Our guide was knowledgable & excited about the project and answered all our questions. The weather prevented us from walking the grounds but that will be for another day. I'll be back to see the next stage of this project. Recommended for teens or adults interested in history, unique concepts and anyone with a love of architecture. Fee for tour but visit is free.