Friday Field Days with Poplar Forest Archaeology

Talks every Friday at 1:30 p.m.Join Poplar Forest’s Department of Archaeology and Landscapes every Friday at 1:30 PM through November 22 for an in-depth look into their current excavations and what they are learning about the people who lived in and around the 1857 Slav......More

Talks every Friday at 1:30 p.m.Join Poplar Forest’s Department of Archaeology and Landscapes every Friday at 1:30 PM through November 22 for an in-depth look into their current excavations and what they are learning about the people who lived in and around the 1857 Slave Dwelling. While the 1857 Slave Dwelling was built after Jefferson’s lifetime, it is historically important as it is the only original dwelling built for enslaved people still standing on the property. As part of the 1857 Slave Dwelling Restoration Project’s efforts to stabilize, research, and restore this structure with the community, we invite you to visit our archaeologists to see what they are finding and learning about the people who lived here. Friday Field Days are included with regular admission which can be purchased in advance here. Admission to the property includes either a docent-guided or self-guided tour of Jefferson’s retreat home, access to exhibits in the lower level and wing of offices of the villa retreat, and outdoor exhibits throughout the property.

VA250 Mobile Museum Experience

The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission is bringing the spirit of the American Revolution to Poplar Forest! A hands-on, interactive, and immersive “museum on wheels,” the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience titled Out of Many, One is housed in a quad-expandable tract......More

The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission is bringing the spirit of the American Revolution to Poplar Forest! A hands-on, interactive, and immersive “museum on wheels,” the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience titled Out of Many, One is housed in a quad-expandable tractor trailer that is traveling throughout Virginia and beyond. Guests visiting this unique traveling museum will embark on a journey through pivotal moments of our fight for freedom while learning about the Revolution’s key figures as well as the often-overlooked stories of the Indigenous Virginians, free and enslaved African Americans, and others whose efforts secured American independence. Out of Many, One will be open to the public free of charge (admission rates are applicable to experience the historic house and surrounding grounds and to attend 1776 the Musical). Out of Many, One will be open to the public from 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. June 26-June 28, 2025. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation and learn about Virginia’s vital role. *Please note, The Mobile Museum Experience does not include admission to tour the house and grounds or to watch 1776 the Musical. Tickets for house and grounds tours can be purchased here. Tickets are 1776 the Musical can be purchased here.  

1776 The Musical

Enjoy the 10th annual performance of events that took place 249 years ago at the retreat home of the principal author of the Declaration of Independence! Revel in the revolutionary spirit of America’s Founding Fathers at Poplar Forest’s presentation of 1776—the Tony Awa......More

Enjoy the 10th annual performance of events that took place 249 years ago at the retreat home of the principal author of the Declaration of Independence! Revel in the revolutionary spirit of America’s Founding Fathers at Poplar Forest’s presentation of 1776—the Tony Award-winning comedy by Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone based on the events leading up to the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence. View these events through the eyes of Ben (Franklin), Richard Henry (Lee), John (Adams) and Tom (Jefferson). Celebrate their contributions to our country’s history. Bring a chair or blanket, a picnic dinner (no outside alcoholic beverages allowed. Wine, beer and cider will be available for sale on site), and friends and family for an evening of theatre under the stars. Performance begins at 7:30 p.m., Rain Date is June 29, $20.00/Adults (18+), $15/College and Youth (6-17), $5/under 6.   *Please note, there are no refunds for event tickets for any reason. Event Tickets DO NOT include admission to the property during daytime hours. To tour the house and grounds between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., you must purchase a regular tour ticket here. 

Poplar Forest, 1776 Poplar Forest Parkway, Lynchburg, VA, 24502, United States

1776 The Musical

Enjoy the 10th annual performance of events that took place 249 years ago at the retreat home of the principal author of the Declaration of Independence! Revel in the revolutionary spirit of America’s Founding Fathers at Poplar Forest’s presentation of 1776—the Tony Awa......More

Enjoy the 10th annual performance of events that took place 249 years ago at the retreat home of the principal author of the Declaration of Independence! Revel in the revolutionary spirit of America’s Founding Fathers at Poplar Forest’s presentation of 1776—the Tony Award-winning comedy by Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone based on the events leading up to the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence. View these events through the eyes of Ben (Franklin), Richard Henry (Lee), John (Adams) and Tom (Jefferson). Celebrate their contributions to our country’s history. Bring a chair or blanket, a picnic dinner (no outside alcoholic beverages allowed. Wine, beer and cider will be available for sale on site), and friends and family for an evening of theatre under the stars. Performance begins at 7:30 p.m., Rain Date is June 29, $20.00/Adults (18+), $15/College and Youth (6-17), $5/under 6.   *Please note, there are no refunds for event tickets for any reason. Event Tickets DO NOT include admission to the property during daytime hours. To tour the house and grounds between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., you must purchase a regular tour ticket here. 

Poplar Forest, 1776 Poplar Forest Parkway, Lynchburg, VA, 24502, United States

1776 The Musical

Enjoy the 10th annual performance of events that took place 249 years ago at the retreat home of the principal author of the Declaration of Independence! Revel in the revolutionary spirit of America’s Founding Fathers at Poplar Forest’s presentation of 1776—the Tony Awa......More

Enjoy the 10th annual performance of events that took place 249 years ago at the retreat home of the principal author of the Declaration of Independence! Revel in the revolutionary spirit of America’s Founding Fathers at Poplar Forest’s presentation of 1776—the Tony Award-winning comedy by Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone based on the events leading up to the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence. View these events through the eyes of Ben (Franklin), Richard Henry (Lee), John (Adams) and Tom (Jefferson). Celebrate their contributions to our country’s history. Bring a chair or blanket, a picnic dinner (no outside alcoholic beverages allowed. Wine, beer and cider will be available for sale on site), and friends and family for an evening of theatre under the stars. Performance begins at 7:30 p.m., Rain Date is June 29, $20.00/Adults (18+), $15/College and Youth (6-17), $5/under 6.   *Please note, there are no refunds for event tickets for any reason. Event Tickets DO NOT include admission to the property during daytime hours. To tour the house and grounds between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., you must purchase a regular tour ticket here. 

Poplar Forest, 1776 Poplar Forest Parkway, Lynchburg, VA, 24502, United States

Independence Day Celebration

Thomas Jefferson held July 4th as “the only birthday I ever commemorate…” Bring your family and friends out to Poplar Forest, his Bedford County retreat, to celebrate the 249th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in historic style. Enjoy colon......More

Thomas Jefferson held July 4th as “the only birthday I ever commemorate…” Bring your family and friends out to Poplar Forest, his Bedford County retreat, to celebrate the 249th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in historic style. Enjoy colonial-style entertainment, demonstrations by colonial artisans and craftspeople, archaeological displays, old-fashioned children’s activities, a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1:30 p.m. and more! Tickets are $15/person ages 16+, under 16 are free. House Tours available for a reduced rate of $10 ages 18+, $7/ages 6-17, and free under 6. House Tour tickets are available day-of only on a first come, first served basis.  *Please note, there are no refunds for event tickets for any reason.List of Interpreters and Vendors• Beau Robbins – Meet Thomas Jefferson• Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) – Flag Handout• Hill City Master Gardener Association• Twin J Ranch Petting Zoo• Jonathan Austin- Colonial Magic and Juggling• Kaitlin Orme, Author– Book Signing• Perrin Cottage Perfumery- Colonial Perfumes• Thomas Kilian- Pottery Demonstrations• Matthew Hundley- Blacksmithing Demonstrations• Paul Parish – Historic Surveying Demonstrations• Elissa Parish – Loom Weaving Demonstrations• Dawn Doss – Wool Spinning Demonstrations• The Fincastle Company- Encampment of colonial militia, camp followers, and civilians• David Gilmer- Colonial Displays and D-Day Memorial Information• Monacan Indian Nation- Indigenous history and technology• Jamar Jones- First- and third-person interpretation of the enslaved community at Poplar Forest• Poplar Forest’s Hands on History – Quill Pen Writing, Colonial Games, & Brick Making Demonstrations• Poplar Forest Archaeology Field School Colonial Music:• Pete & Ellen Vigour• Kim & Jimbo Cary Food Vendors:• Kona Ice of Lynchburg• Top Dawgs• Hardman’s Smoke Stack• Corny Kettler’s

Poplar Forest, 1776 Poplar Forest Parkway, Lynchburg, VA, 24502, United States

Plymouth Fife & Drum Corps

Experience the performance of Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps (PFDC) on Sunday, July 13 at 11:00am. The PFDC, based out of Michigan, is a youth-serving, community-based organization dedicated to preserving the ancient arts of fifing, drumming, and color guard through live ......More

Experience the performance of Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps (PFDC) on Sunday, July 13 at 11:00am. The PFDC, based out of Michigan, is a youth-serving, community-based organization dedicated to preserving the ancient arts of fifing, drumming, and color guard through live performances. Performance is included with general admission and will last approximately 30 minutes *Please note, general admission tickets are required to view the performance. Tickets for house and grounds tours can be purchased here.