I've been going through some old National Geographics and came across an interesting article in the Geographica section of the March 1999 issue.
Most everyone knows about Monticello, but I didn't know about Thomas Jefferson's other home near Lynchburg, Virginia, that he designed himself called Poplar Forest. It had a small octagonal structure, service wing, and landscaping.
He journeyed to this other home as often as four times a year from 1809 to 1823, and, like Monticello, constantly refined it.In 1813, he wrote about, "The excellent dwelling house I have built there has been associated by me with delight."
His grandson sold the house in 1828. In 1845, there was a fire and major alterations. Throughout the following years, there were more alterations until it didn't much look like the home envisioned by Jefferson.
In 1984, encroaching development led to the creation of a nonprofit group that bought the property and set about restoring it to the 1826 appearance.
The exterior restoration work is now finished.
That was 1999.
NOW
Looked up Poplar Forest and found a site at www.poplarforest.org. In 2008, excavations are going on for some new Jefferson building sites discovered on the grounds as well as slave quarters. This November 1st, five poplar trees are being planted on the north lawn in honor of former resident Jimmy Watts. The public is invited.
Thomas Jefferson, Architect and Designer. --Old Coot
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