Saturday, January 27th from 2:00 to 4:00

Learn about the historic plastering process as it happens inside Jefferson’s retreat home. Join Henry Orton, owner of Orton Plasterworks in Savannah, Georgia, as he discusses his methods being used to reconstruct the ceilings in Poplar Forest.

This winter Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest’s villa is temporarily closed to the public while the ceilings are re-plastered. Historic plaster restoration specialists will rework the ceilings using the same materials and techniques used by Jefferson’s craftsmen in the 1800s. On Saturday, January 27, British master craftsman Henry Orton, one of the finest traditional plasterers working in the United States, and his assistant Mark Smith will present a plaster talk and tour of the plastering workspaces for those interested in historic building practices.

Admission to the plaster talk is free, however donations are suggested. RSVP required.