Plaque Text for Virginia Landmark #73-J:
Near here is Menokin, home of Francis Lightfoot Lee, signer of the Declaration of Independence. Lee was a member of the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1779 and died at Menokin in 1797.
More about Menokin:
Born into one of Virginia’s most prominent families and named after the best man at his parents’ wedding, Mr. Lee received Menokin as a gift for his own wedding to second-cousin Rebecca Tayloe! Her father, John Tayloe, ordered it built in the late Georgian design to be finished for the happy couple in 1769. After that point, Mr. Lee served in the Richmond County House of Burgesses until 1776 and in the Continental Congresses from 1775 to 1779! He and his brother, Richard, are famous for signing the Declaration of Independence on behalf of Virginia!
Menokin is a rarity because it was built from stone, not brick, and because we still have its original architectural drawings, which are now being used to renovate it! It’s also never going to be fully renovated, even though 80% of its original materials have survived the elements. After a tree fell into it in the 1960s, much of its artifacts have been taken to storage at Bacon’s Castle, and now it’s getting a “Phantom of the Opera” facelift. Called the Glass House Project, it’s going to use architectural glass to stabilize the structure and give visitors an inside peek at Menokin’s guts!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Donate to Menokin!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
4037 Menokin Rd
Warsaw, VA 22572
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
The grounds are open daily from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM!
More Photos
