When the core of your mission is education and you are presented with
the opportunity to host a group of graduate students from the Harvard
Graduate School of Design you vote “Aye!” right?

Of course, right. Jorge Silvetti, lead architect on the Menokin Project, is
also a Nelson Robinson Jr. Professor of Architecture at Harvard. He approached
Menokin Executive Director, Sarah Pope last fall about offering The Menokin Project
as the subject of his studio course for the 2013
spring semester.

Ten students will participate in the studio, and will travel to the site this weekend for an introduction to Menokin and the history of the Northern Neck.

Their initiation will begin on Friday evening with a dinner hosted by Menokin Trustees and staff. Honorary Menokin Trustee Calder Loth will present an indepth look at the current conservation practices at nearby historic sites.

They plan to spend a large part of their time here exploring the Menokin site and facilities.  They will also pay visits to other historic landmarks in the area including George Washington’s Birthplace National Monument, Stratford Hall (c. 1735 and boyhood home of Francis Lightfoot Lee), Grove Mount (c. 1780 home built for Judith Carter) and Mount Airy (c. 1752 and home of John Tayloe II, father of Rebecca Tayloe Lee).

The students will focus on all aspects of The Menokin Project, including the cultural landscape and master site plans, and design solutions for the house.

The course will conclude in the spring when students present their projects before a juried panel. We look forward to sharing these with you as they evolve.