The Rescue

The rescue of Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest proves that individuals can make a difference.  For nearly 200 years, the octagonal house at Poplar Forest had been home to many, from an American founder to American families.

The house underwent many alterations over the years and its 4,812-acre was whittled down to a mere 50 as subdivisions surrounded it. In 1980, a North Carolina doctor bought the property in hopes of selling it to a preservation group. However, no one stepped up to the plate. The empty house began to deteriorate.

By late 1983, a handful of local residents pledged to find a way to save Jefferson's extraordinary retreat.  By early 1984, this small group formed the nonprofit Corporation for Jefferson's Poplar Forest and raised enough money to buy the site.  The Corporation reached out to build a network of support, ranging from donors across the country to young local schoolchildren contributing nickels.  In 1986, Poplar Forest opened for tours on a regular basis.

Poplar Forest before exterior restoration began. Photo by Herald Moore.

Meanwhile, increasing support enabled the Corporation to buy back 500 acres of the original plantation, and embark on a painstaking process to authentically conserve and restore Jefferson's house and eventually his landscape.

Hands-on restoration began in 1993, and by 1998 the exterior restoration was complete.  For the first time since the 1840's, people saw the outside of Jefferson's home as Jefferson had designed it.  The National Trust for Historic Preservation recognized this restoration phase with its Honor Award.

Interior structural restoration, including the 15 fireplaces and hearths and the installation of polished oak floors on the first level, followed the next year.  Eventually, most other rooms on the main floor where Jefferson lived will be plastered and covered in lime wash, as they were in Jefferson's day.  Plans now call for leaving one room "as is" with the original Jefferson brick showing, as many visitors have requested.

Today, interpretative tours, programs and exhibits enable visitors to see restoration and archaeology in progress. The restoration carpenters are now working on rebuilding Jefferson's wing of service rooms on the east side of the house, which was torn down in the 1840's.  That project is expected to continue until 2009.

Archaeologists spent several years excavating the lawns surrounding the house in order to collect evidence that will help in a landscape restoration.  Now they are focusing on a site south east of the house where farm outbuildings and slave quarters may have existed in Jefferson's time.

If you want to make history today at Poplar Forest, please click here.