Menokin Foundation Press Kit
For press inquiries contact Michael Beller
About The Menokin Foundation
Menokin, the home of Francis Lightfoot Lee — a signer of the Declaration of Independence — is a National Historic Landmark and, like our country, built on the contradictions of slavery. It is one of the best documented 18th century houses in the United States. The Menokin Foundation was formed in 1994 in Warsaw with the mission of exploring the building of America through the Glass House Project. This innovative preservation approach juxtaposes the layers of what is remaining of the historic ruin with architectural glass. Views out onto the surrounding landscape offered through the glass walls continually connect visitors to the natural environment. This interplay of interior and exterior, historic past and modern-day perspective, offers a layered and complex look at the stories of people who lived here.
Key Menokin Foundation Messaging One Sheet (download)
Contact: Michael Beller
About the Menokin Glass House Project
Designed by renowned architects Machado Silvetti, The Menokin Glass House Project uses innovative display techniques to reveal the historic fabric of the ruin in its current state with missing portions of the original house to be replaced with architectural glass. By visually showing the process of reconstruction (“dynamic preservation”), the story of Menokin will be told not as a snapshot in time, but as a continuing narrative, serving as a powerful teaching tool for visitors, architects, and preservationists across the globe. It is the only project of its kind in North America. Current visitors witness the progress of the project up close in real time. The entire project is estimated to be completed to coincide with the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
Timeline and history of the Glass House Project
Wall Street Journal on the Menokin Glass House Project
Contact: Michael Beller
About the Menokin Descendant Collective
The Menokin Descendant Collective was founded in collaboration with the Menokin Foundation, following the Menokin First’s Descendants’ Day in 2022. Comprised of descendants of persons who were enslaved at Menokin and others closely related, the Descendant Collective aims to honor the humanity, sacrifice and resilience of the enslaved laborers who built and worked on Menokin. Monthly virtual meetings are held with goals of increasing membership across the country, contributing to the development and governance of the Menokin Foundation, and through research, illuminating the stories of the enslaved more accurately and fully to open doors of much needed racial healing.
Menokin Descendant Collective
Contact: Kiana Wilkerson
Press Releases and Announcements
2024
APRIL 26th, 2024
Menokin Featured in The Chronicle Magazine
Menokin is featured in an in-depth article by The Chronicle Magazine in Williamsburg, VA
Download The Chronicle Article here
March 25th, 2024
Menokin Paint Menokin! Plein air Event Registration Opens
Visit the Paint Menokin! Plein air event page for more details
March 19th, 2024
Menokin Releases 2024 Spring/Summer Programming Guide.
View the Menokin’s 2024 online programming guide
March 12, 2024
Menokin featured in April Issue of Virginia Living Magazine as a “must see” architectural and historical site in the Northern Neck.
Link to transcription and download coming soon.
January 3, 2024
Connie Rosemont appointed Interim Executive Director at Menokin.
2023
June 15, 2023
Menokin Descendant Collective Collaborates with artist Dineo Seshee Bopape on Exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art New York
Link to Press Release
april 24, 2023
Bruce Thomas Joins Menokin Board of Trustees
Link to Update Details
april 4, 2023
Work Begins for Phase 1B of Menokin Glass House Project
Link to Update Details
March 30, 2023
Menokin’s Releases 2023 Programming Slate
Link to 2023 Programming
Feb 6, 2023
Marc Williams Joins Menokin Board of Trustees
Link to Announcement
2022
december 22, 2022
Northern Neck of Virginia Designated National Heritage Area by Congress
Tim Kaine Announcement
october 15, 2022
Menokin Completes Phase 1A of the Glass House Project
Read Announcement
october 1, 2022
Menokin First Descendants’ Day Takes Place at Menokin
Details and Highlights
September 28, 2022
Menokin Receiving 1 Million Dollar Grant from Commonwealth of Virginia
Read Article
2021
october 19, 2021
Institute of Contemporary Art at VCU and The Menokin Foundation Partner on Fall 2021 Exhibition and Program
Link to Release
april 14, 2021
Atlantic Union Bank Awards Significant Donation to Menokin in Honor of Helen and Tayloe Murphy
Link to Release
2020
October 28, 2020
”Neither Ruin Nor Replica”, Michael Lewis for the Wall Street Journal
PDF of WSJ Article
june 11, 2020
Menokin Begins Construction on the Glass House Project
Link to Release
april 12, 2020
Colonial Williamsburg and Menokin Partner on Exhibit
Link to Exhibit Details
Resources and Downloads:
Menokin Site Map
Photographs by request (image bank coming soon)
Annual Reports
2023 Programming Guide
General Contact information:
Physical Address: 4037 Menokin Road, Warsaw, VA 22572
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1221, Warsaw, VA 22572
Main Phone: 804-333-1776; Email: menokin@menokin.org