Mission, Vision & Philosophy

The Menokin Foundation preserves and interprets the home of patriot Francis Lightfoot Lee as a focus for better understanding the fields of architecture, archaeology, history, conservation and ecology. The Foundation uses Menokin and its surrounding acreage as an educational center, thus teaching professionals and inspiring citizens to become responsible stewards of the world's historic places. We believe that the hands-on learning process is as important as the actual historic preservation work of the home. We also consider the careful management of Menokin's 500 acres to be an important method of increasing public appreciation for natural resources. In 2005, 325 acres of our property became part of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Click here for our 2008 Annual Report

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Core Strategies

Strategy 1 : Stabilize and conserve the existing physical fabric of Menokin and protect it from further deterioration.
Read more about our effort to Save the Past with Glass

Strategy 2 : Integrate hands-on learning opportunities for students and the public into all historic preservation and land conservation work conducted at Menokin.

Strategy 3 : Educate the public on the rich history of the Menokin property, with emphasis on: Francis Lightfoot Lee and his contribution to the formation of the United States; the political and social climate of 18 th century Virginia; the skilled craftsman who constructed Menokin and their building techniques; the slaves, indentured servants and laborers who shaped and worked the Menokin plantation; and the Native Americans who lived on the land.

Strategy 4 : Study and learn from the surrounding historic landscape and make the 500 acre Menokin property more accessible and visitor-friendly to the public.

Strategy 5 : Broaden and diversify our funding base.

Trustees & Staff

Officers
Mr. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. President
John H. Guy IV, Vice-President
Russell G. Brown, Secretary
John K. Boidock, Treasurer

Trustees
Thomas H. Birdsong III
C. Dudley Brown
Mrs. Arthur H. Bryant II
Dr. Elizabeth H. Crowther
Capt. Hulon P. Fillingane, U.S. Navy (retired)
Dr. Laura Croghan Kamoie
Dr. William M. Kelso
Mrs. Martin Kirwan King
Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. (immediate past President)
Tayloe N. Negus
Mrs. Thomas L. Neuman
Mrs. Peter D. O'Hara
Penelope de Bordenave Saffer
Alexander Smith, Jr.
Stevenson T. Walker
James D.W. Zehmer

Honorary Trustees
Calder Loth
The Honorable Harry T. Taliaferro III
D. Anderson Williams

Executive Director
Sarah Dillard Pope- bio

Assistant Director
Beth A. Reavis- bio

Education Coordinator
Pam Narney, Ph.D.

Bookkeeper
Deborah Wahlstrom