Author Archive

Aug 28, 2015

Field School Records Another Property

This year marked the 25th anniversary of the Restoration Field School. Begun in 1990, this program is a hand-picked group of no more than 10 people from around the country […]


Sep 15, 2015

Old coat worn out? Time for a new one!

Mr. Jefferson’s private retreat needs a new coat. A coat of paint, that is…. Sun, rain, wind, and snow have degraded all painted surfaces and they need a fresh coat. Paint […]


Sep 21, 2015

Preserving the Windows

Maintenance on museum properties should really be called conservation. That is because it requires specialized skills and particular materials. Some of the exterior restoration woodwork on Poplar Forest is now […]


Sep 25, 2015

Celebrating 25 Years of Award-winning Restoration

Poplar Forest was pleased to invite the friends, colleagues, admirers, and family members of Travis McDonald, to a celebration on September 16, 2015, on the occasion of his 25th anniversary […]


Sep 25, 2015

New Restoration Glass for the Lunette Window

With the lunette window sash repaired, Brian Foree replaces two panes of glass damaged when the window was removed from the west stair pavilion. Jefferson was no stranger to broken […]


Nov 24, 2015

Necessary Roof

The fire of 1845 destroyed most of the the original Jefferson era woodwork at Poplar Forest, except for the privies which went unscathed. Protecting this original woodwork is the job […]


Jan 21, 2016

Winter Architectural Exhibit

As part of the Winter Weekend exhibits in the house, the unfinished East Room is an exhibit featuring three principal themes: Jefferson’s skill as an experienced builder; the role of […]