CCASM Trip with Dr. Julia King

What better way to spend a beautiful spring day than to take a trip with Dr. Julia King.  On Saturday April 30, 2022 CCASM members Elsie, Mary, Pat, and Carol accompanied Julia King on a trip to three sites in the Northern Neck of Virginia.  Julie and her crew had done archaeological excavations at two of the sites - Leedstown and Fones Cliff.  Julie shared what the excavations had told about the sites while also telling some of the history.  Both sites are on the Rappahannock River, but Leedstown where you can launch a small boat has been occupied for over a thousand years, while at Fones Cliff fewer diagnostic American Indian artifacts were found.  The Rappahannock Tribe was there way before John Smith mapped the river. Artifacts indicating early colonial occupations were also found at both sites with a town and a church being at Leedstown.  All this as we walked the land. 

Mary, Elsie, Pat, and Julie
on the Leedstown shore

Brick floor with herringbone pattern
along with other eroding handmade bricks

Looking out over the Rappahannock from Fones Cliffs

After a really nice lunch at the Prince Street Cafe in Tappahannock, VA, we traveled to Menokin National Historic Landmark.  This site includes a small museum., a Remembrance Structure, and the ruins of Menokin-the home of Francis Lighthouse Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  The house is being restored in a unique manner.  Have you heard of the Glass House Project ?  Well, that is Menokin.  Parts of the missing exterior of the original will be replaced with architectural glass. Also inside the structure, glass will provide a catwalk and a transparent floor.  They have a way to go, but it is an interesting site.

Sam McKelvey answering our questions
about Menokin  (Carol, Elsie, Mary, Julie)

Menokin-Work In Progress

CCASM would like to thank Julie King for offering to do this.  It was really a great day.  Also we would like to thank Mary for driving.  Her SUV allowed us to ride together and continue our conversations as she drove to sites.
 
(Photos by Carol and Pat)