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Poplar Forest Unveils Virtual Landscape: Video animations of Jefferson’s ornamental landscape available online and onsite -

The first computer model of Jefferson’s ornamental landscape at Poplar Forest is now available to Poplar Forest visitors, both onsite and online. The creation of the first-ever, three-dimensional digital rendering of the ornamental landscape Jefferson designed surrounding his house is the first step in a multi-phase project to produce an interactive way to experience Jefferson’s landscape long before it can be fully restored and experienced in person.

“Poplar Forest archaeologists are currently excavating with the goal of restoring Jefferson’s ornamental landscape. These virtual animations make it possible to see Jefferson’s landscape before physical restoration is accomplished,” said Jack Gary, director of archaeology and landscapes. “Creating this educational tool provides a dynamic way for both onsite and online visitors to participate in the process that is happening on the property. Our team of archaeologists continues to excavate and examine the areas adjacent to the house this spring, gathering the information needed to accurately replant the first parts of Jefferson’s ornamental landscape later in 2011.”

Online visitors can experience Jefferson’s virtual landscape online at http://www.poplarforest.org/retreat/landrest/virtual. Visitors to Poplar Forest can also explore the animations at a new touch-screen computer kiosk in the Poplar Forest Museum Shop.

The animations were produced as part of a collaborative effort between Poplar Forest’s Department of Archaeology and Landscapes and the Center for the Electronic Reconstruction of Historical and Archaeological Sites (CERHAS) at the University of Cincinnati. Creating these animations was the first step in a multi-phase project to produce an interactive way to experience Jefferson’s gardens before they can be fully restored at Poplar Forest. The short videos introduce people to the landscape as if they are walking through it or flying over it.

Funds are being sought for the second phase of digitization – an interactive feature that will allow visitors to digitally move plants around, starting with the trees in Jefferson’s ornamental “clumps” in front of the house. This feature will enable the public to fully participate with Poplar Forest archaeologists in figuring out what the original landscape looked like and how to restore it. This process includes examining evidence from documents and archaeology, gardening manuals in Jefferson’s library, and the landscape ideas and practices of the time. Future phases will make it possible to see the way Jefferson changed the Poplar Forest landscape at different times, and what the plantation landscape of fields, barns and slave quarters looked like.

The project was made possible by generous support from Verizon.

About Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest
Poplar Forest is Thomas Jefferson's secluded plantation and retreat home. Poplar Forest is a National Historic Landmark that was recently added to the U.S. nomination list to become a World Heritage Site. Exhibiting award-winning restoration and archaeology, Poplar Forest offers tours, special events and school outreach programs. Open April through November, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, except Tuesdays (closed) and Thanksgiving Day (holiday). For more information about Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest, call (434) 525-1806 or visit www.poplarforest.org. 

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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.