The Retreat
History
Thomas Jefferson and his wife Martha inherited the Bedford County plantation known as Poplar Forest from her father in 1773. The property’s name, which predates Jefferson’s ownership, reflects the forest that once grew here. Several stately poplars in front of the home welcome visitors today.
The 4,819-acre plantation provided Jefferson with significant income and the perfect setting where he could pursue his passion for reading, writing, studying and gardening after retiring from public life.
In the early years of his ownership, Jefferson managed Poplar Forest from afar as he practiced law and served in a series of government office both at the state and national levels. He and his family, however, did spend two months here in 1781 when they left Monticello to elude British capture. During this visit, Jefferson compiled much of the material for his only book, Notes on the State of Virginia, while he was probably staying at the overseer’s house.
In 1806, Jefferson traveled from Washington to supervise the laying of the foundation for the octagonal house we see today. When his presidency ended in 1809, Jefferson visited the retreat three to four times a year, staying from two weeks to two months at a time. His visits often coincided with the seasonal responsibilities of the working plantation. He also oversaw the ornamentation of the house and grounds, and the planting of his vegetable garden. Family members, usually grandchildren, often joined Jefferson.
Jefferson made his last trip to Poplar Forest in 1823 when he settled his grandson, Francis Eppes, on the property. Ill health prevented further visits. In 1828, two years after Jefferson’s death at age 83, Eppes sold Poplar Forest to a neighbor.
The design of Poplar Forest is highly idealistic in concept with only a few concessions to practicality—it was so perfectly suited to Jefferson alone that subsequent owners found it difficult to inhabit and altered it to suit their needs. In 1845 a fire led the family then living at Poplar Forest to convert Jefferson’s villa into a practical farmhouse. The property was privately owned until December 1983 when a nonprofit corporation began the rescue of the landmark for future generations. Visitors today see the house as preservation, reconstruction and restoration are in progress.
Poplar Forest Historical Timeline
1745
“Poplar Forest” mentioned in early land records
1749
“Poplar Forest” appeared on early land plat
1773
Jefferson visits Poplar Forest for the first time in September after his wife inherits the 4,819 acre plantation following the death of her father, John Wayles
1776
Jefferson writes the Declaration of Independence
1779
Jefferson drafts the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
1781
Jefferson and family in seclusion at Poplar Forest after British invasion of Monticello; works on Notes on the State of Virginia, his only published book
1782
Martha Jefferson dies
1784
Jefferson appointed Minister to France
1790
Jefferson appointed Secretary of State by President George Washington
1801
Jefferson begins term as the third President of the United States
1803
Jefferson approves negotiations for the Louisiana Purchase and launches the Lewis & Clark expedition
1804
Daughter, Maria Jefferson Eppes, dies
1806
Construction begins on the octagonal retreat at Poplar Forest
1809
Jefferson retires from public life and stays in the main house at Poplar Forest for the first time
1812
Construction of the octagonal house considered basically “complete”
1814
Begins expanding the house at Poplar Forest by adding a service wing
1816
Interior plastering complete; Jefferson brings his granddaughters, Ellen and Cornelia Randolph, to Poplar Forest for the first time
1818
Jefferson founds the University of Virginia
1823
Grandson Francis Eppes and wife Elizabeth begin residing at Poplar Forest; Jefferson visits for the final time in the spring
1825
Fire causes minor damage to house
1826
Jefferson dies July 4th at Monticello at age 83; Francis inherits Poplar Forest and 1,074 acres
1828
Francis sells Poplar Forest and moves his family to Florida; William Cobbs becomes the new owner; his daughter Emma marries Edward Sixtus Hutter; the property remains in the Cobb-Hutter family until 1946
1946
The Hutters sell Poplar Forest to the James O. Watts family
1979
Poplar Forest sold to Dr. James A. Johnson, High Point, N.C.
1984
Property sold to the nonprofit Corporation for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest
1986
Poplar Forest opens for public visitation on a regular basis

- The building process for Poplar Forest was documented by Jefferson in numerous letters and it is through these letters and other historical materials the Corporation has been able to restore the house back to Jefferson’s design.
- Find Jefferson where the documentation and research process is explained.