Poplar Forest - Forest, Virginia, USA
Posted by: vhasler
N 37° 20.838 W 079° 15.966
17S E 653577 N 4134810
Poplar Forest was once a plantation of 4,000 acres owned by Thomas Jefferson. He designed the octagonal brick house which was completed in 1809.
Waymark Code: WMM6M4
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 07/31/2014
Views: 6
Thomas Jefferson built only two elaborate houses for himself - Monticello and here at Poplar Forest. In 1806, the construction began on what was perhaps the first octagonal house in America. It was finished in 1809. It has features of his own liking (and some common with Monticello): skylight, alcove bed, large windows, terrace deck (which could collect rainwater).
So when Washington DC became too busy, Thomas Jefferson escaped to Monticello. When Monticello became too crowded, he then retreated to this 4000+ acre Poplar Forest plantation.
Poplar Forest is open to the public from March 15 through December 30 (closed on Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) from 10am to 5pm. And then winter weekends from January 18 to March 9 during 10am to 4pm.
For more information, reference the foundations website linked below or this review of the architecture (
visit link) .