Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Anne & Gene Worrell Foundation to help ensure the long-term care and preservation of Jefferson’s beloved retreat home. The Worrell Foundation grant is the largest ever awarded to Poplar Forest by a private foundation and is given on behalf of the late Anne R. Worrell, a founding donor and faithful supporter of the Corporation for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. “Among the many causes supported by Anne and Gene Worrell, perhaps none was more important to them than Poplar Forest. We hope others will join us in preserving this national treasure,” said Phillip C. Stone, Board Chair for the Anne and Gene Worrell Foundation.

Mrs. Worrell and her husband, Gene, were part of the group that gathered in the historic house by candlelight on a cold December night in 1983 to form the Corporation for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest.  A leadership commitment was made that night, which helped change the course of Poplar Forest’s history. With the house no longer threatened by commercial development, the group set out to restore Jefferson’s retreat for current and future generations to experience. Anne Worrell was a steadfast supporter and driving force behind the efforts to restore the villa to Jefferson’s vision. She served as Chair of the Board and was a tireless champion of our endeavors. Now, 42 years later, with the restoration of Jefferson’s villa complete, Mrs. Worrell’s vision, determination and generosity are on display for all to see.

The Poplar Forest Board of Directors has issued a one-to-one matching challenge to unlock a capstone gift of $500,000 and raise a total of $3.5 million. Your gift today will be matched one-to-one, helping us move closer to our goal. The Travis C. McDonald, Jr. Historic House Stewardship Fund was named in honor of Poplar Forest’s retired Director of Architectural Restoration and Preservation, who dedicated 34 years of his career to Jefferson’s Palladian-style villa. This fund was established to permanently protect the $23 million investment made over the last 42 years to restore Poplar Forest. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of a donation, of which every dollar will be matched!