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Poplar Forest

One of Lynchburg’s most visited tourist stops is Poplar Forest, retreat home to the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. In the late 1700s, Poplar Forest became the property of Jefferson and a long construction process on the home began. The home has Jefferson’s signature architectural design that can be seen throughout the house. This architecture is very similar Monticello (another house of Jefferson’s), and the University of Virginia which he helped to construct. The interesting part about the architecture is that a large majority of the house is octagonal. The house itself is octagonal. The rooms and even the kitchen table are octagonal.

The home has been undergoing a long restoration period, and the owners hope to have it fully restored in the upcoming years. Visitors are welcome to visit the home. Forty minute walking tours are offered throughout the week. The tours are very educational and give visitors a good glimpse into the history embedded at Poplar Forest. There is also a small museum and gift shop to visit. The home is only opened from April-November. For more information about Poplar Forest, please visit http://www.poplarforest.org/index.html.