Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest

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One of only two homes Thomas Jefferson designed for his personal use, the Poplar Forest retreat was the place where Jefferson “came to indulge in the life of the mind and renew his personal creativity.” Jefferson and his wife, Martha, inherited the Bedford County plantation known as Poplar Forest from her father in 1773. When his presidency ended in 1809, Jefferson visited the retreat three or four times a year, often staying for several months at a time during planting seasons.

Designated a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior, and nearly lost to development, Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest plantation in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains was rescued in 1984 by a group of local citizens who sought to preserve it for the cultural and educational benefit of the public. Poplar Forest was opened to the public for the first time in 1986, in its “before restoration” state. Today, the neoclassical architecture of the octagonal house has been returned to Mr. Jefferson’s design. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has recognized the meticulous research and restoration efforts with its highest award, and the plantation has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to Poplar Forest offers a unique opportunity to observe a “live” archaeological dig and historic restoration in progress, as efforts to reveal and restore Thomas Jefferson’s vision for his personal retreat continue.

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Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest

1542 Bateman Bridge Road

Forest, VA 24551

Admission

Poplar Forest is open daily from mid-March 14 through December 30 (closed on Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Admission includes a guided house tour and self-guided exploration of exhibits in the lower level of the house, the wing of offices, the ornamental grounds and the slave quarter site. Guided tours of the octagonal house begin at 10:00 a.m. and run every half hour, with the last tour of the day beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Admission prices are:

Members: Free (Information on membership is available here)

Adults: $15

eniors (ages 65+): $13

Active military (must show ID): $13

College students (must show ID): $7

Youth ages 12–18: $7

Youth ages 6–11: $3

Youth under age 6: Free

Admission for active duty members of the military and their families is free (with ID) starting Memorial Day through Labor Day as part of the Blue Star Museums programs. Tours for groups of 20 or more are available by appointment at a discounted rate.

Directions/Transportation/Parking

Google Maps, Mapquest and GPS use 1542 Bateman Bridge Road, Forest, VA.
PLEASE NOTE: This address is invalid for the U.S. Postal Service.

FOR BUSES AND RVs: Due to weight and size restrictions on the main entrance drive, buses and large RV’s are asked to use the service entrance onto the property.

From Downtown Lynchburg (Visitors Center) (29 Business South)
From 12th Street, take a right on Main Street. Turn right to merge onto the Lynchburg Expressway 29-Business South. 29 Business South will turn into 501 North. Continue onto 501 North. Take Exit 11 for Graves Mill Road. Turn left onto Graves Mill Road. Turn left onto Forest Road. Go approximately 2.7 miles and turn left onto Thomas Jefferson Road/Route 811. Proceed for 1 mile and turn left onto Bateman Bridge Road/Route 661. Go 1 mile and look for the Poplar Forest entrance on the right.

From D.C. and Charlottesville (29 South to 460 West)
Take 29 South toward Lynchburg. After passing the intersection of 29 and 60 at Amherst, continue straight on 29 South (sign will say toward Lynchburg/Danville). At this point you will be on the newly opened bypass around Lynchburg. Continue on 29 South approximately 11 miles. After you cross the James River, exit onto 460 West toward Lynchburg / Roanoke. Remain on 460 West for approximately 14 miles, to a stoplight at the intersection with Route 811. (You will be passing all the Lynchburg exits as you drive this stretch of 460. Shortly before reaching the 811 intersection you will pass the New London Academy, on your right. Turn right onto 811 (Thomas Jefferson Road) and continue approximately 4.2 miles to the juncture with Route 661 Turn right onto 661 (Bateman Bridge Road). Go 1 mile on 661 until you reach the entrance to Poplar Forest on your right. Turn right into the entrance and follow the drive approximately 1 mile.

From Richmond (64 West to 29 South to 460 West)
Take Route 64 west to Route 29. Then follow directions described above.

From Roanoke (460 East)
Take Route 460 east for approximately 40 miles. At Route 811 turn left at light and proceed for 4.4 miles. At Route 661 turn right and proceed for one mile. Look for Poplar Forest entrance on the right.

From Appomattox (460 West)
Take Route 460 west for approximately 30 miles. At Route 811 turn right at light and proceed for 4.4 miles. At Route 661 turn right and proceed for one mile. Look for Poplar Forest entrance on the right.

From Lexington: (501 South)
Take Route 501 South over the mountains. Near Lynchburg, bear right to follow 501 South/Lynchburg Expressway for 3 miles. At light, bear right to continue on 501 South. At intersection with Route 221, turn right on to Route 221 South. Stay on Route 221 South for 4.5 miles. Turn left at light onto Route 811. Proceed for 1 mile and turn left on to Route 661. Go 1 mile and look for the Poplar Forest entrance on the right.

From Danville: (29 North)
From 29N take 460W towards Roanoke. Proceed on 460W approximately 7 miles to Route 811. At Route 811 turn right at light and proceed for 4.4 miles. At Route 661 turn right and proceed for one mile. Look for Poplar Forest entrance on the right.

For more information

Website : http://www.poplarforest.org

Email : shopstaff@poplarforest.org

Phone : (434) 525-1806

Twitter : @PoplarForest Follow PoplarForest

Facebook : poplarforest