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Poplar Forest Launches Landscape Restoration -

A New Dimension of Jefferson’s Retreat

Current Archaeological Work Will Focus on Restoring Jefferson’s Ornamental Gardens

Forest, VA -- Beginning this summer, visitors to Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest will be able to witness archaeologists reveal an entirely new dimension of the 3rd president’s personal retreat. Archaeologists have now begun to investigate the very first features of Jefferson's ornamental gardens that are to be restored. On June 3, 2010 members of Poplar Forest’s staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and visitors gathered to officially celebrate the beginning of landscape restoration.

The landscape is an essential element of the design for Jefferson’s retreat. The unique landscape design at Poplar Forest was a marriage of many things, particularly a combination of Roman villa design mixed with British and French formal and picturesque garden design. The gardens, like the house, reveal much about Jefferson’s personal interests and experiences.

Most of Jefferson’s retreat landscape and farm landscape has vanished visually. A few maps survive of part of the farm, but no Jefferson-era drawings of the designed retreat grounds are known to exist. While Jefferson’s records, planting memoranda and letters, provide many clues about the gardens at Poplar Forest – as in the letter below to Martha Jefferson – it is through extensive excavating and lab analysis that archaeologists are developing a more complete picture of the gardens and grounds. As the details about the gardens come into sharper focus through archaeology, they will be restored. 

On November 10, 1816, Thomas Jefferson wrote from Poplar Forest to his daughter Martha: “Tell Wormley also to send some Calycanthus plants well done up in moss and straw and about a bushel of orchard grass seed…Would it be possible for you so to make up some of the hardy bulbous roots of flowers as to come safely on the mule? Daffodils, jonquils, narcissus, flags, & lilies of different kinds.…” 

Phase one of landscape restoration includes restoring the allee of paper mulberry trees on the west side of the house and the ornamental flower beds and other plantings at the front of the house. This summer, Poplar Forest archaeologists have begun to search for the evidence to guide the re-planting of the allee of trees. The double row of paper mulberry trees will link the octagonal house to the earthen mound on the west side of the house, thereby balancing the newly restored “wing of offices” on the octagon’s east side. Doing this will restore the symmetry of Jefferson’s design for Poplar Forest.

In addition to the first gifts this summer, Poplar Forest continues to seek support to accomplish the project. Throughout the year, visitors to Poplar Forest will have the opportunity to witness archaeology in progress and, as the project continues, visitors in the future will learn directly from Poplar Forest archaeologists as they investigate more fully Jefferson's ornamental landscape that he designed at Poplar Forest and take steps towards restoring other ornamental elements.

“The landscapes of Poplar Forest, and really all of Central Virginia, have changed significantly in the last 200 years. Through our archaeological research at Poplar Forest we are able to understand, envision, and recreate these landscapes," said Jack Gary, Director of Archaeology and Landscapes. "From examining pollen grains and chemicals trapped in the soil, to studying historic plantation maps and documents, to excavating the remains of shrubs Jefferson planted, our interdisciplinary approach can tell us what Jefferson’s gardens actually looked like 200 years ago.”

"Launching the restoration of Jefferson's landscape opens a whole new window into Thomas Jefferson's most personal place," said Judy Schulz, Chairman of the Board of Directors as she officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony. "No one has seen this part of his retreat in over 170 years. We look forward to the exciting re-emergence of his elegant gardens, as funds are raised to excavate and restore each planting. With support we aspire to complete restoration of the first feature-- the double row of trees-- in 2011."  

NOTE: High resolution images of archaeology in progress and the groundbreaking event are available upon request.

About Poplar Forest
Poplar Forest is Thomas Jefferson's secluded plantation and retreat home, now a National Historic Landmark. Undergoing award-winning restoration and archaeology, Poplar Forest offers educational outreach programs, tours and special events. Poplar Forest is open Wednesday through Monday, April through November; except Thanksgiving Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (434) 525-1806 or visit www.poplarforest.org for additional information.  

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Poplar Forest is open to the public seven days a week, March 15 through December 15 (closed Thanksgiving Day). Group tours are available year-round by appointment.