Phase 1: Expansion of Visitor Services Facility

Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson’s Bedford County retreat, is a National Historic Landmark which has the potential to rank with Monticello and Mt. Vernon as a major tourist destination. Restoration is still in early stages, but with the unveiling in 2009 of the completed exterior restoration of the architecture, visitation increased by 50%. We are in the process of introducing a new dimension—Jefferson’s landscape-- which will attract more visitors and lengthen their stay. 

The present 616 sq. foot space housing our admissions and museum shop is too small to handle even the visitor numbers we experienced in 2009 and clearly cannot accommodate further growth. The Corporation for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest seeks support to do Phase I of the expansion/upgrade of our visitor services facility, as the first step in a multi-phased plan for handling future growth. 

Phase I provides the following: (1) Enlarged restroom capacity. The current facility (F 3 stalls; M 1 stall, 1 urinal) is woefully inadequate.  A new addition will be built as a new restroom (with environmentally improved low-flow toilets: F 5 stalls; M 2 stalls, 3 urinals). (2) Expanded space for providing basic visitor service in admissions and museum shop.  The space housing the current bathroom (which cannot be expanded because it no longer meets current code) will be renovated to expand the shop by about 33% or 200 square feet. This additional space is needed to accommodate new orientation and educational services.

The immediate need is space for issuance/instruction to visitors for the new GPS-driven, audio/visual, handheld electronic tour devices being introduced for learning about Jefferson’s landscape and plantation community while walking through the grounds. (The handheld device storage unit itself is 6’ wide and 2’ deep; plus space is needed to show visitors how to use them). (3) Ramp and covered porch. The new ramp will provide access to the new restrooms, and the covered porch will link the shop to the new restrooms. (4) Improved parking/circulation to better accommodate tour buses. Expansion of the visitor services building requires altering the present arrival/parking pattern for buses (5) Equipment upgrade for fast processing of admissions and sales. One inefficient computer (with old, expiring software) now serves as the cash register for both admissions and shop sales, often resulting in lines of customers extending out the shop door. Adding a second computer station (with portable stand for use during large annual outdoor events) provides for faster, more efficient processing, which gives staff more time to more effectively provide high-quality service to visitors needing help understanding their tour options, merchandise selections, directions, food/lodging options, etc. The equipment also will provide faster service to customers in applying appropriate discounts, and will enable management to more efficiently analyze data about both visitation and buying trends.  

The Phase I improvements will enable us to meet the needs of our growing numbers of patrons, and, through helping deliver a positive experience, will help sustain Poplar Forest’s image as a premier travel destination and facilitate further visitation growth. Subsequent phases of the visitor services facility expansion will provide for additional admissions/shop space to meet next-tier growth and a new tour orientation area.