Plan Your Visit
Experience what it is like to be there at the beginning. Witness an undiscovered gem as it emerges. New insight into Thomas Jefferson is coming to light as archaeologists uncover the unknown story of his personal retreat and his most personal architecture is unfolding through step-by-step restoration. This is a unique time to experience Thomas Jefferson’s retreat.
A visit to Poplar Forest will deepen your understanding of Thomas Jefferson. It is at this getaway that he focused on his personal pursuit of happiness— and created a distinctly personal place.
Witness meticulous historic restoration in progress at the house Jefferson considered his best design for the life of a private citizen. Tour the house to learn about architecture, preservation and life in the early 19th century. See ongoing excavation and view artifacts from the plantation community that lived and worked at Poplar Forest. Discover Jefferson’s vision for his gardens, ornamental plantings and farm at Poplar Forest as it emerges through archaeology. Enjoy special events each year, including musical performances, historical theater, and lectures.
We invite you to explore the house and grounds at Thomas Jefferson’s retreat. Each year, visitors come to Poplar Forest to see the newest discoveries and latest restored features… as well as to sense Jefferson’s presence in the house and feel an emotional connection to the man, his ideas, his boundless energy, and his ingenuity.
Poplar Forest is open to the public seven days a week, March 15 through December 15 (closed Thanksgiving Day.) Hours are 10 a.m. through 4 p.m.
Handicapped access, via a lift, is now available to the upper level of the house. The lift must be operated by a Poplar Forest staff member. Please inquire at the Museum Shop if you need assistance.
House Tour Admission
(includes guided house tour and self-guided grounds exhibits)
Adults $14.00
Seniors (age 60+) $12.00
Active Military $12.00
College Students $7.00
Youth 12-18 $6.00
Youth 6-11 $2.00
Under 6 free
AAA discounts available. Poplar Forest offers tours seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets for all tours may be purchased in the Museum Shop. In addition, there are currently a limited number of tickets for weekend tours are available for purchase online.
Exhibits
Examine exhibits at the restoration workshop, archaeology laboratory, slave quarter site, and in the lower level of the house. View a 15-minute film on the restoration work and archaeological excavations in the lower level of the house.
Tours
Guided tours of the house are offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and last approximately 40 minutes. In addition to the guided tour, visitors may walk the grounds guided by brochures that describe the landscape and plantation community or check out a GPS-guided audio-visual handheld unit to explore the landscape. Please allow approximately 2 hours to experience Poplar Forest.
Groups
Tours for groups of 20 or more are available year-round by appointment, at a discounted rate. Please contact Dianne Kinney at (434) 534-8110 to schedule a group tour.
Map & Directions
Take US 460 or US 221 (avoid business routes) to Rt. 811 (Thomas Jefferson Road). Turn onto Rt. 661 (Bateman Bridge Road) to main entrance. Campers and buses enter via Foxhall Drive.
Google Maps, Mapquest and GPS use 1542 Bateman Bridge Road, Forest, VA 24551.
Public Transportation
There is no public transportation to Poplar Forest. Amtrak runs daily to Lynchburg, approximately 15 minutes from Poplar Forest.
Parking
General visitor parking and handicapped parking (handicapped license plate or tag required) is available adjacent to the Museum Shop. Visitors are advised to lock their vehicles - Poplar Forest is not responsible for any loss or damage incurred in the parking area. Permission is required for overnight parking.
Questions
Please Contact us for additional information.