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Menokin celebrated Women’s History Month in March with the launch of a new guided tour added to its daily offerings, the Revolutionary Women of Menokin. During the tour, visitors discover the women of Menokin who made their mark on history during the American Revolution. Exploring themes of freedom, politics, resistance, and more, this tour signaled the start of Menokin’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The tour and accompanying research are part of an effort to expand Menokin’s storytelling to be more inclusive of the diverse people who lived on the land over the course of its history. Menokin was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1971 as the home of Francis Lightfoot Lee, but his signing of the Declaration of Independence is not the only act of resistance associated with the site.
For six months, the Menokin Department of Research and Collections combed through archives and collections to find letters, newspaper clippings, and other primary resources that revealed how women experienced and supported the American Revolution at Menokin and throughout the Northern Neck. The research also revealed how women of different backgrounds exerted power outside of the political systems they were excluded from.
The new tour will share stories of women who boycotted British goods such as tea and textiles and participated in events like the homespun ball in Williamsburg. Visitors will also learn about the enslaved women from the Northern Neck who self-emancipated during the American Revolution. In addition, they’ll hear about women such as Hannah Lee Corbin, sister to Francis Lightfoot Lee, used the ideals of the Revolution to argue that single and widowed women who owned property were also taxed without representation.
The tour is $15 per person (children twelve and under are free). Group rates are also available. Registration for the tour will open in mid-March, and it will be offered Tuesday through Saturday when the Menokin Visitors Center is open. Visit menokin.org or call 804-333-1776 to learn more.
Menokin Foundation I 4037 Menokin Road, Warsaw I 804-333-1776 I menokin.org
Menokin uses a historic ruin and the surrounding built and natural environments to transcend the traditional house museum experience. They use contemporary methods to create opportunities for the public to contemplate and explore the building of America.
Menokin’s vision is to be one of the most engaging destinations for historic preservation and interpretation. Their creative approach reimagines how individuals connect to history and promote provocative dialogue around our nation’s founding ideals and realities.