The Menokin Foundation

“In accordance with accounting standards, expenditures and contributions for works of art, historical treasures, and similar assets that are held as part of collections are not recognized as an asset. Cost for restoring and improving the menokin ruin and grounds are expensed when incurred.”

“The menokin foundation is a charitable, non-profit organization created in 1994. Its mission is to preserve and interpret menokin, the home of francis lightfoot lee, a signer of the declaration of independence, as a focus for better understanding the fields of architecture, archaeology, conservation, history and ecology. Menokin is one of the best-documented eighteenth century houses in virginia and one of only a few for which the original architectural drawings still exist. Though the house is partially collapsed, some 80 percent of its original materials have been removed and preserved, including most of the interior woodwork. The foundation's collection consists of over 1,000 pieces of interior joinery from the house and over 1,500 architectural structural elements extracted from the remains of the house. This extensive collection of the original decorative and structural pieces of menokin provide an extraordinary method of teaching 18th century building techniques to students. The education and training program,centered around the collection, helps to fulfill the menokin foundation's vision to protect the ruin from further deterioration and to conserve and present the house in a manner that will inspire the public to learn more about francis lightfoot lee's contribution to the founding of the united states, and the remarkable talents of the craftsman who constructed his home. The foundation believes that the hands-on preservation learning process is as important as the final completion of conservation work at the menokin ruins. The current state of menokin provides an extraordinary opportunity for students to receive education and training on a broad spectrum of architectural conservation issues, including: moisture problems; making and using historic repair mortars; woodwork repair and consolidation; techniques for removal of portland cement pointing, and window restoration. Here we have a historic house of which one-quarter remains standing with original plaster, floorboards and framing, while the remaining parts of the house, including all of the exquisite interior woodwork, exist in pieces. The rare, original presentation drawings and 1940 historic american building survey documentation provides a "road map" to understanding how these pieces fit together.”

“The foundation's endowment funds have been established to support the preservation of the menokin ruin and other operational needs.”

“The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization exempt from income tax provided under section 501(a) of the internal revenue code. Income from activities not directly related to its tax-exempt purpose is subject to income tax. The foundation has reviewed and evaluated the relevant technical merits of each of its tax positions in accordance with guidance established by the fasb and determined that there are no uncertain tax positions that would have a material impact on the financial statements of the foundation.”