Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest Events

Thursday March 26 6:30pm - 8:00pm EDT

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

Jefferson’s Curiosities: What Made Jefferson a Great Leader? (Dr. John Ragosta)

Thomas Jefferson was a man whose varied interests ranged from travel, the arts, literature and religion to leadership, philosophy and the culinary arts. Join Poplar Forest and historian Dr. John Ragosta as we explore what made Jefferson a great leader in the second session of the 2026 Jefferson’s Curiosities Series. As the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson has long been considered one of the most prominent of America’s Founding Fathers. For 24 of the 28 years following his two-terms as president, Jeffersonians held the presidency. Cities, counties, schools, universities, have all been named “Thomas Jefferson” to honor his contributions and continuing influence as a leader. In recent years, however, his legacy has been called into question, in large part because he participated in the foul institution of American slavery, owning over 600 people during his lifetime—including several of his own children. We might well ask: What does a wealthy, white, slave-owning aristocrat have to teach us about leadership? And why is Jefferson still seen to be a great American leader? About the Series: Thomas Jefferson was a man of many varied interests. Join us at Jefferson’s “best dwelling house in the state” as we delve into topics he found particularly fascinating from travel to culinary, leadership to religion. Each talk in the series includes a wine and cheese reception following the presentation. Tickets are $25/each. Other 2026 Jefferson’s Curiosities Series Events: Jefferson’s Travels through the Germanies (Travis McDonald): February 19, 2026 6:30 p.m.Jefferson and Trist’s Wild Mississippi Scheme (Karen Chase): May 7, 2026 6:30 p.m.Jefferson’s Curiosities: Hearth Cooking (Rachel Deddens): June 11, 2026 6:30 p.m.Jefferson & Religion (Nathan Taylor): September 24, 2026 6:30 p.m.*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 5 p.m., you must purchase a regular tour ticket here.

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

Saturday April 4 11:00am - 5:00pm EDT

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

Spring Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival

Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest is hosting the second annual Thomas Jefferson Spring Wine Festival this April! Join us for a day filled with wineries, artisans, food vendors, live music and more on Poplar Forest’s south lawn as we celebrate Jefferson’s legacy as the father of Virginia wine. Enjoy tastings from regional wineries, shop from local artisan vendors, and enjoy food from one of our local food vendors! General admission tickets, which include tasting and a complimentary Poplar Forest wine glass (while supplies last), are $35 in advance and $40 at the door non-tasting tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door children ages 6 and under, free. Note: you must purchase a tasting ticket to taste or purchase wine. *Please note, there are no refunds for event tickets for any reason.Interested in sponsoring the event?Fill out this form: 2026 Spring Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival Sponsorship IMPORTANT ATTENDEE INFOAttendees wishing to taste or purchase any wine must purchase a tasting ticket. IDs will be checked for ALL tasting ticket holders. No one with a tasting ticket will be admitted to the festival without having their ID checked. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding. All tastings and open bottle purchases will end at 4:30 p.m. Bottles of wine may be purchased to take home between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed however, canopies and small tents are not.No outside food or drink is permitted. There are several food vendors on site selling goods throughout the festival.No animals (with the exception of service animals) are allowed on the property during the wine festival.House tour tickets are available for a discounted rate, day-of only ($10/ages 18+, $7/ages 6-17, free/under 6). House tours are first come, first served and can be purchased near the carriage turnaround.There are NO refunds for ticket sales for any reason.Tickets will be available day of, at the door for $40 ($20 for non-tasters).*Please note, there are no refunds for event tickets for any reason.

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

Monday April 13 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

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

Spring Naturalization Ceremony

Join Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest and the Blue Ridge Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) to witness a Naturalization Ceremony welcoming 30 new American citizens in honor of Thomas Jefferson’s 283rd birthday. Admission to the ......More

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

Tuesday April 21 All Day

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

Historic Garden Week in Lynchburg

Add a tour of Thomas Jefferson’s private villa and ornamental gardens to your Historic Garden Week itinerary. An avid gardener and one of America’s first landscape designers, Jefferson was enthralled with the natural world, recording his ideas for planning and planting ......More

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

Saturday April 25 7:00pm - 9:00pm EDT

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

Conversations with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin

The annual Conversations with Mr. Jefferson program will be returning to his retreat home in 2026! Join us as three of the most influential men in Colonial America sit down to discuss the Declaration of Independence and what it means to self-govern. Join Thomas Jefferso......More

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

Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest

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Jefferson’s Curiosities: What Made Jefferson a Great Leader? (Dr. John Ragosta)

Spring Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival

Spring Naturalization Ceremony

Historic Garden Week in Lynchburg

Conversations with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin

Group Results

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Pelham Jewish Center

Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest

View details

About Us

Contact Information

About Us

Contact Information

Jefferson’s Curiosities: What Made Jefferson a Great Leader? (Dr. John Ragosta)

Spring Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival

Spring Naturalization Ceremony

Historic Garden Week in Lynchburg

Conversations with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin

Group Results

Tag sale

Pelham Jewish Center

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