Warsaw in Richmond County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Exterior Design
Menokin is the result of a unique collaboration between John Tayloe II of nearby Mount Airy and Francis Lightfoot Lee, the husband of Tayloe's daughter Rebecca. Instead of the cash dowry he bestowed on the husbands of seven other daughters, Tayloe gave Lee a life interest in 1,000 acres of his vast Richmond County estate and agreed to build a house, domestic outbuildings, and plantation structures. Construction of the house began in 1769, and it was probably ready for occupancy in 1771. Menokin is built of iron-infused sandstone, quarried only a few miles away. Its design appears to have been influenced by William Adam's Vitrivius Scoticus, a well known architectural work of the time.
There is an emphasis on symmetry at Menokin that is typical of Georgian houses of the period. The formal entrance is on the north or land-side of the house and is clearly distinguishable from the other three sides. The double belt courses, a heavy arched door opening, classically rusticated window frames, and more elaborate stone trim set on this north side apart as the intended approach to the house. A great deal of skill and time went into creating the raised, decorative 18th century mortar joints, which leads experts to conclude that the exterior walls were not originally covered in stucco. The stucco is perhaps an early 19th century
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1769.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 38° 0.521′ N, 76° 48.221′ W. Marker was in Warsaw, Virginia, in Richmond County. It could be reached from Menokin Road (Virginia Route 690) 1.9 miles south of Piney Grove Road ( Route 637), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 4037 Menokin Rd, Warsaw VA 22572, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the American South and in the Tidewater. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, the Western Hemisphere, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Outbuildings (a few steps from this marker); The Terraces (within shouting distance of this marker); The Remembrance Structure (approx. Ό mile away); Trees in this Grove (approx. 0.3 miles away); Francis Lightfoot Lee's Menokin (approx. 0.3 miles away); Virginia Indian History at Menokin (approx. 0.4 miles away); John Smith Explores the Chesapeake (approx. 0.4 miles away); Menokin (approx. Ύ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Warsaw.
More about this marker. The area where this marker was has been converted into a pattern yard for stabilization work on the east facade of the house. The marker's replacement is presumably tied
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, September 6, 2025
3. East Elevation of Menokin in 2025
As shown, the entirety of the front yard is now a work zone, hence the marker's [presumably temporary] removal.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 217 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on October 2, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on October 2, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.
