A hearty “Hear! Hear!” and pass the gravy on this call to action for Virginia to claim her rightful spot as the birthplace of the first Thanksgiving. Weigh in and let us know with whom you stand – the pilgrims or the planters?
Category Archives: The Northern Neck and Beyond
You’re Invited
Menokin Is Hosting A Reception and Show of Entries from the
Menokin Photography Contest
Please join the Menokin staff, contestants, trustees and contest judge Hullihen Williams Moore on the evening of November 30, 2012 from 6 pm until 8 pm for a light wine and cheese reception and the results of the Menokin Photography Contest.
On display will be selected works by Mr. Moore from his collection of Menokin photographs.
There is no fee to attend, but a reservation is required. Please respond to menokin@menokin.org or by calling 804.333.1776 no later than November 26, 2012.
The reception will be held in the Martin Kirwan King Visitor’s Center at Menokin, located at 4037 Menokin Road, Warsaw, VA.
Menokin: Education, Exploration, Enrichment – Day Two
DAY TWO – Wednesday, November 7th
Richmond County Schools Gifted and Talented After School Program
The day after the Aylett Country Day School 8th graders were here, we were visited by a hardy group of Gifted and Talented students from the Richmond County public school system.
The group, consisting of children from the 4th through the 8th grade, braved the wind, rain and cold to explore Menokin. A handful of the kids had visited Menokin before, some on several occasions. But many in the group were first-time visitors.
While the weather prohibited a walk to the creek, there was time to visit the archaeologists at work on their survey and a tour of the house introduced them to the architectural elements of 18th-century tidewater construction methods. With a plethora of old houses in Richmond County, several of the kids commented about the similarities they observed between their own homes and Menokin.
[10 on Tuesday] Build Your National Register Knowledge – PreservationNation
[10 on Tuesday] Build Your National Register Knowledge – PreservationNation.
Menokin is pleased and proud to be on this register. Thanks to the National Trust for your hard work keeping America’s historic places alive.
Save The Date – Lime Mortar Workshop at Menokin
March 9-10, 2013
This two-day workshop, led by Wayne Mays, preservation mason from the University of Virginia, will be held on the grounds of historic Menokin in Warsaw, VA.
Topics and hands-on techniques will include an introduction to building limes, mortar analysis and mortar matching, mortar making, and wall preparation and pointing techniques. A visit to the Menokin house site will involve discussion on stone/rubble wall construction as well as techniques for grouting large voids in stone walls.
Other topics to be explored include plasters, renders, and coatings – from the different types and installation of lath, to the hands-on application of lime plaster, and the proper materials and methods to use when repairing lath and plaster.
Registration information and course schedule will be issued in early 2013. Please share this post with friends, colleagues, students and fans of historic architecture.
Menokin has weathered the storm.
While Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc over much of the East Coast the past few days, the Northern Neck of Virginia seems to have thankfully dodged a big bullet. I am glad to report that the old girl is still standing and no worse for the soaking.
Other than a flooded lane and some wet carpet in the Visitor’s Center, everything is shored up and just how we left it. That’s pretty good news for a mostly collapsed house.
I hope the rest of you fared as well.
Slithering hither and yon
Northern Neck Master Naturalist John Narney was in the Menokin woods last week, working on a flora and fauna survey for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Grant.
He encountered some fauna alright. Of the reptilian persuasion. Luckily he had his camera handy and shared these shots with me.
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why
Wonder, I am green and it’ll do fine, it’s beautiful
And I think it’s what I want to be.”
~ Kermit The Frog
Menokin photography contest deadline extended to November 15
What were we thinking? Having an October 15th submission deadline completely rules out the beautiful fall foliage for the photo contest.
So we have our heads screwed on straight now, and have extended the deadline for submissions to November 15th. The reception will take place on November 30th. All other rules still apply.
Come on by. The property is open, even when the Visitor’s Center is not.
No wild weather for this year’s “Go Wild” event
Yesterday was the 2nd annual “Go Wild” event at the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge’s Hutchinson Tract in Essex County, VA.
After the cold, windy, rainy day that greeted last year’s eventers, the clear blue October sky and 75+ degree temperatures were a welcome change.
The wind still had a few tricks up her sleeve, however, and there were examples of human ingenuity all over the place as exhibitors tried to hold down tents, brochures and displays. My husband Ben, the master of all things rigged, “Bengineered” this bungee bracing system to keep the Menokin display board upright and in place.
I was there representing Menokin, and informing visitors about our nature trails and waterfront on Cat Point Creek, and explaining that 300 of our 500 acres are, in fact, part of the refuge.
There were all kinds of exhibitors on hand – from Native Plants Societies, Master Naturalist and Oyster Gardeners, to bluebird house building, reforestation surveyors and wildlife rehabilitation experts.
Our booth was next door to The Wildlife Center of Virginia, where their educator and handler, Rayna, brought out a series of rehabilitated birds to share with the public. You can find out these birds stories on their website.
The Raptor Society of Virginia was also on hand with a few of their birds. This little screech owl won me over with her big green eyes and haughty, knowing air.
Congressman Rob Whitman spoke briefly, after being introduced by Refuge Administrator Andy Hoffman and RRVNWR Friends President, Anne Graziano.
In case you missed it….
The Virginia Historical Society has posted a video of the recent banner lecture, Planter Oligarchy on Virginia’s Northern Neck, which was co-sponsored by Menokin. The video features a fabulous introduction by Menokin’s own, Sarah Dillard Pope, Executive Director of the Menokin Foundation.
Also includes a shout out to Tayloe Negus and Tayloe Emery, both Hampden-Sydney alums, who help established the relationship between Dr. Coombs and Menokin.
Enjoy!
