"I write to you from a place, 90 miles from Monticello, near the New London of this state, which I visit three or four times a year. I stay from a fortnight to a month at a time."

-Thomas Jefferson

I live three miles from Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's summer retreat located in Forest, Virginia. This is one of my favorite local destinations and it will be re-opening to the public April 1, 2009.  The Poplar Forest estate originally consisted of over 4800 acres. Today, there are 50 remaining acres and the subdivision of Poplar Forest and the Poplar Forest Golf Course surround the property. The property is noted on land records as far back as 1745. Construction on the octagonal shaped home wasn't started until 1806.

You'll notice many similarities to Monticello though Poplar Forest is not furnished. For almost 200 years the house had been used as a family home. By 1980 when the home was purchased, it had fallen into disrepair. In 1984 the nonprofit Corporation for Jefferson's Poplar Forest was formed and raised enough money to purchase the property. It opened to the public for tours in 1986. This is a popular local field trip destination, there are a lot of hands on activities for kids.

For more information on hours and admission or to set up a tour, please visit: POPLAR FOREST

GPS Address for Poplar Forest

1548 Bateman Bridge Road, Forest, VA 24551

If you would like more information about  the communities of Forest or Lynchburg, Virginia, please visit my website at or call me at (434) 546-0369