The morning after meeting with Thomas Jefferson and Lafayette of 1824 at one of the Lynchburg theaters, I suggested we visit Jefferson’s nearby villa, Poplar Forest.
On my previous visits to Poplar Forest, I watched the reconstruction of Jefferson’s private retreat, tucked away in the woods of Lynchburg.
Although those tours of watching carpenters work 18th century style on a mini-version of Monticello was quite interesting, I was excited to tour the finished product.
NORTHWEST CHAMBER
Using the North Portico Entrance, we arrived at a passage that could take us directly to the Dining Room…or to either the Northwest Chamber or the Northeast Chamber, which mirror each other.
JEFFERSON’S BEDCHAMBER
From the Northwest Chamber, we entered Jefferson’s Bedchamber.
Now that the construction and painting are complete, the foundation is seeking original furniture (or reproductions, thereof) that would best fit out the space as true as possible to when Jefferson retreated here.
Thus, this middle section is where his bed will go, like at Monticello, with the header and footer sandwiched between the walls.
DINING ROOM
The other day Thomas Jefferson (portrayed by Bill Barker) and Lafayette (portrayed by Mark Schneider) enjoyed a elegant candlelight dinner in this room with several other guests.
Since this is an interior room, Jefferson had a sunlight installed for natural light.
PARLOR
From the dining room we entered the parlor, which we can also be accessed by Jefferson’s Bedchamber.
A favorite of Jefferson’s was the Campeche Chair.
This parlor, which has lovely views of the outdoors, houses part of Jefferson’s book collection.
GRANDDAUGHTERS’ CHAMBER
Since two of Jefferson’s granddaughters often joined him on visits, the next space was their bedchamber.
Since their bedchamber structurally mirrors Jefferson’s, the foundation left this section in various stages of reconstruction so we can always examine the early 19th century structure.
This was a first visit for my husband, who was quite intrigued by everything.
