Menokin 2023 Highlights of the Year
As we close out 2023, here are highlights of some of the amazing milestones over the last 12 months!
Glass House Project
The water table across the North Wall was restored with placement of the stones across the lower section of the entire facade, including a large keystone hand turned from stones to support the cellar window. Work also included rebuilding an ornate bearing column to support the main wall, as well as repairing cellar walls that had become weaker to allow the next phase to go into action.
Education
2023 was an amazing year of education at Menokin. Director of Education Alice French continues to design excellent experiences and curriculum, including architecture and history tours, kayaking, research, and more. Groups included Montross Middle School, Boy and Girls Clubs, Westminster Canterbury of Richmond, Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School, Richmond County Middle School, The Photography Club of Richmond, St Mary’s College students and several others.
MDC at MoMA
Our next Menokin 2023 highlight is the dynamic partnership between the Menokin Descendant Collective and artist Dineo Seshee Bopape at The Museum of Modern Art in New York for the artist’s recent exhibition, “Projects: Dineo Seshee Bopape”. The Menokin Collective created hand sculptures from Menokin-sourced clay that were placed in the exhibition, followed by a reception and subsequent private tour with the artist exclusively for descendants.
Makers Day 2023
Menokin celebrated its 3rd Annual Makers Day, bringing makers from our community to Menokin to celebrate the maker movement. People of all ages were engaged in building bluebird houses, weaving eel baskets, creating stained glass objects and butterfly creations, witnessing glass blowing in real time, and much more under the tutelage of master craftspersons from the region. Thanks to our volunteers, staff, vendors, and Hot Mix VA Radio for creating an awesome day.
Kayaking Paddles
It was a banner year of kayaking and exploring the waterways. Kayakers of all skill levels had special experiences of being on waterways that history, as well as the fun of paddling out in pristine nature. Alice French continues to provide guided paddles along Cat Point Creek, highlighting seasonal flora and fauna and the values of conservation.At the end of the day, as Alice states, “Menokin strives to provide a gateway for the community to a free, safe, and enlightening water experience.”
Genealogy Workshop
The first inaugural Research & Relevance genealogy workshop was hosted by Cara Griggs and Lydia Neuroth from the Library of Virginia and Menokin’s own research team. Attendees of all levels learned how to access African-American materials from state libraries, as well as the “Virginia Untold” digital project for documentation of enslaved and free Black people pre-1865 at the Library of Virginia. More to come in 2024!
New Tour
Menokin launched “The Revolutionary Women of Menokin” tour to be more inclusive of the diverse people who lived on the land through its history. Menokin’s Research and Collections team combed archives and collections to find letters, newspaper clippings, and other primary resources that revealed how women of different backgrounds experienced and supported the American Revolution at Menokin and throughout the Northern Neck.
Archaeology Week
Menokin celebrated Archaeology Month in October with Q&A interviews of experts in this exciting field of study. These interviews covered a range of questions, including how they were inspired to get into archaeology to their most coveted discoveries in the field. One of the Q&A’s in the series is with Menokin’s own Descendant Research Associate, Kiana Wilkerson. Before starting her position at Menokin, Kiana was an archaeologist. Kiana states, “The skills I’ve learned in the field of archaeology helped me prepare to be the researcher I am today.”
Virtual Descendants’ Celebration
The Menokin Descendant Collective Virtual Descendants' Day Celebration occurred almost exactly one year after the in-person Menokin First Descendant's Day in October, 2022. This online private event gathered members for live performances, speakers, shared experiences, and more. A meaningful experience was had by all who attended.
Dominion Traditional Building Group
A sincere thank you to the amazing crew from Dominion Traditional Building Group, who worked on the 2023 phase of the Glass House Project. Multi-talented stonemasons that moved the project forward for the next phase in 2024. They are part of our Menokin family. We appreciate you!