On July 5th, my mom and I continued our extended Fourth of July patriotic weekend with a visit to Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. While many associate Jefferson with Monticello, his second home at Poplar Forest was his cherished retreat in retirement. It was a place where he could escape the bustle of Monticello, “indulge the life of the mind, and renew his personal creativity.”
Nestled in Lynchburg, Virginia, amidst the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains and nearby Peaks of Otter, Poplar Forest remains a sanctuary for visitors. You can stroll the serene grounds while delving into the history of the Declaration of Independence’s author and America’s third president. Poplar Forest also powerfully tells the stories of the enslaved community and their vital contributions to running the farm and constructing this unique home.
The friendly museum staff warmly welcome guests, inviting them to journey through time with guided and self-guided tours, engaging exhibits, and scenic pathways winding through ancient Tulip Poplar trees and lush meadows. Whether you’re eager to learn more about founding father Thomas Jefferson and the community that lived here, or fascinated by the architectural uniqueness of this octagonal, Palladian-inspired brick home, Poplar Forest is a truly a must-visit destination.
Planning Your Visit:
Poplar Forest is conveniently located in the heart of Lynchburg. Stepping on the property you immediately feel as though you’ve traveled back in time. This peaceful setting calms the mind, and it is easy to see why Jefferson loved coming here.
I recommend purchasing your tickets in advance via the Poplar Forest website. The entrance fee is well worth the experience. You could easily spend several hours or more just exploring the home and grounds.
Once you arrive at Poplar Forest you can check in with staff in the gift shop. From there I recommend watching a brief and informative introductory video about Thomas Jefferson’s life at Poplar Forest and perusing a few exhibits in the Visitor Orientation Center. Depending on which day you visit, you can tour the Hands-on-History Pavilion and Williams Archaeology Lab and Exhibits. These were closed the day we came, but look forward to seeing those exhibits next time. (You can always call in advance to double check about special events and scheduling).
Poplar Forest has several tour options. Because we would have to wait an hour for the next decent- led tour we decided to do the self-guided tour, which is through an interactive app. I was so impressed with how informative and easy to use this app was throughout the property. It includes a step by step tour guide with maps, audio and video and other resources. I’ve used it to review our visit again once I got home as the app information was so helpful. I wonder what the scientist and creative mind of Jefferson would think of apps and cell phones today?
The property has a number of interesting buildings and exhibits including the main octagonal house, and a basement exhibit about the artisans and slave labor that worked on the home. You can also tour the Jeffersonian landscaping as well as later buildings (post-Jefferson structures) like the Overseers/Tenant House and 1857 Slave Dwelling. Each stop on the tour reveals a deeper insight into the life of Jefferson, life at Poplar Grove and also the lives of subsequent owners.
You can also enjoy miles of trails including the Poplar Forest Parkway, which features interactive exhibits along the path.
Let’s start our blog tour with a quick bio of Thomas Jefferson and the history and architecture of Poplar Grove before exploring the property.
Getting to know Thomas JEfferson
Thomas Jefferson remains one of the most iconic figures of American history. His contributions ranged from his pivotal work during the American Revolution, helping to draft The Declaration of Independence, to his service as Governor of Virginia (1779-1781) and French Ambassador (1785). He then served as George Washington’s first Secretary of State and later as America’s Third President (1801-1809). Perhaps one of his most cherished titles, however, was ‘father of UVA,’ as he spearheaded the founding of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. A lifelong learner, Jefferson was considered a true polymath, with interest and expertise in a variety of disciplines from science and music to architecture, design, languages, and, of course, political science. Poplar Forest truly sheds light on the multifaceted life of Thomas Jefferson.
Jefferson was born on April 13th, 1743, at Shadwell Plantation in Albemarle County (not far from Charlottesville) to Peter Jefferson and Jane Randolph. He had nine siblings. Peter Jefferson was a planter and surveyor, and his mother came from the prominent Randolph family of Virginia. In 1745, the Jeffersons moved to Tuckahoe Plantation, not far from Richmond—a historic home you can visit today. This move occurred because Peter Jefferson’s friend, plantation owner William Randolph III, had named Peter as guardian of his children in his will.
Young Thomas began his education alongside the Randolph children at Tuckahoe under tutors. Peter Jefferson, a self-taught man who regretted his own lack of formal education, ensured his son Thomas received a quality classical education. He was enrolled in English school by age five before moving to a local school run by a Presbyterian minister. It was there he began his lifelong love of science and the natural world. He also studied Latin, Greek, and French.
The family returned to Shadwell in October 1753, where he continued his education. Tragically, at the age of fourteen, Jefferson’s father died, making him the man of the house and profoundly impacting the family. Fortunately, Thomas was able to find a mentor and father figure during his college and legal studies in George Wythe (whom we’ve discussed in previous posts).
In 1761, at the age of eighteen, Jefferson enrolled at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. We visited William & Mary during our recent travels to Williamsburg. Founded in 1693, it is the second oldest college in the United States (behind Harvard) and continues to be a leading institution today. While at William & Mary, Jefferson studied mathematics and philosophy with William Small, who introduced him to the ideas of British empiricists like John Locke, Francis Bacon, and Isaac Newton. Locke’s theory of ‘natural law’ heavily inspired Jefferson’s concepts of freedom and his work on The Declaration of Independence. Small also introduced Jefferson to George Wythe and Francis Fauquier. Small, Wythe, and Fauquier recognized Jefferson as a man of exceptional ability and included him in their inner circle, where he became a regular member of their Friday dinner parties. Jefferson later wrote that, at these dinners, he “heard more common sense, more rational conversation, and more philosophical instruction than in all the rest of my life.
*Fun Fact: Jefferson was present when Patrick Henry gave his stirring speech before the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg in 1765 voicing opposition and proposing resolutions against The Stamp Act in 1765. This speech inspired Jefferson and he admired Henry as a voice of the revolution. While they later disagreed on policy, not doubt Henry’s zeal spurred Jefferson during this formative time.
Jefferson began his legal career in 1767, and was subsequently elected to the House of Burgesses in 1769, thus beginning a life in politics and public service. In 1768, he began building Monticello, inspired by Renaissance master Andrea Palladio. Jefferson inherited the land of Monticello from his father and it would become his primary residence and working plantation.
He fell in love and married Martha Wayles Skelton on January 1, 1772. Jefferson was deeply in love with his wife and they shared a passion for many mutual interests including music. Martha was a skilled pianist and Jefferson a master violinist.
In 1773, after Martha’s father passed away, Jefferson inherited what is now Poplar Forest. The name predates Jefferson as there was once a large forest of poplars on the site. You can still see poplar trees near the house today. Poplar Forest was maintained as a working plantation run by an overseer and enslaved persons that Jefferson inherited from his father in law. The only property on site was a small overseer’s home, that would serve as a refuge for the Jeffersons during a 1781 flight from the British during the American Revolution (more on that harrowing flight in a moment).
Jefferson’s keen mind and silver quill ability as a writer, able to paint with words that resonated with readers and listeners, became invaluable in his role as a representative to the Second Continental Congress. While he is best known for his role in writing the Declaration of Independence, he also co-authored the ‘Olive Branch Petition’ on July 5th, 1775, with Pennsylvanian John Dickinson. Signed by members of Congress, this petition to King George III was a last-ditch attempt at reconciliation, aiming to work out differences. Jefferson, like many patriots, understood that while independence was a goal, their initial hope was for reconciliation with England where their rights as citizens were respected.
Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence eloquently articulated not only the precise reasons for America’s need to be independent of Britain, but also expounded universal truths and provided a rallying cry for future generations through the natural law of creation and the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
- One of my favorite musical films about the Declaration of Independence is 1776, which was recently performed live at Poplar Forest. This musical tells the story of how the Declaration came to be and is a must watch every Fourth of July. There are a few inaccuracies (NC did not yield to SC as North Carolina was actually the first state to declare Independence – Mecklenburg (May 1775) and Halifax Resolves (April 1776) – but mostly it is on the money and worth watching. We listened to the soundtrack on the way to Poplar Forest.
By 1779, Jefferson was appointed as governor of Virginia, following in the footsteps of the ‘Orator of the Revolution,’ Patrick Henry. Jefferson worked to move the capital city from Williamsburg to Richmond. This was partially a defensive measure, as Williamsburg was closer to the Chesapeake Bay and more vulnerable to British attack from the sea.
Unfortunately, in January 1781, traitorous turncoat Benedict Arnold burned and raided Richmond, forcing members of the patriotic government to flee. Thomas Jefferson and his wife and young children fled to Monticello, with the legislators eventually following. Tragically, during this desperate flight to safety at Monticello, Jefferson’s young daughter died from illness.
Only six months after their flight from Richmond to Monticello, danger re-emerged as a bounty was put on Jefferson by Cornwallis. Bloody Banastre Tarleton, known for his ‘no quarter’ in Waxhaws, SC, led his troops directly to Monticello in pursuit of Thomas Jefferson.
Fortunately, on June 3rd, 1781, patriot Captain John ‘Jack’ Jouett of the Virginia Militia overheard British troops at the Cuckoo Tavern in Louisa County plotting to capture Jefferson and the legislators. Without hesitation, Jouett galloped ahead of Tarleton, heroically racing forty miles on horseback overnight to warn Jefferson at Monticello and the legislators in Charlottesville by June 4th.
Jefferson and his family thankfully were able to get away, first to the nearby Carter Farm (still a farmstead and orchard you can visit today in Charlottesville) before finding longer refuge at another family property in Lynchburg, Poplar Forest. Learn more about the fascinating life of Jack Jouett and his famous midnight ride here.
Jefferson and his family stayed at Poplar Forest’s Overseer’s Cabin for two months. Jefferson always remembered the relief of finding refuge at Poplar Forest, which is one of the reasons why he eventually wanted it to serve as his retirement retreat. During this time of hiding, Jefferson compiled much of what would become his only published book, Notes on the State of Virginia.
Learn more about Jack Jouett’s fascinating life here. His midnight ride is celebrated every June in Virginia.
The DAR has published a wonderful online guide where you can follow the Jefferson Escape Route from Monticello to Poplar Forest and learn about this harrowing escape. Fortunately for Jefferson, the British officers and loyalists that tried to kidnap him at Monticello had enough respect for Jefferson to not burn or pillage his home. Prior to the British arrival, Jefferson instructed his staff to hide silver and other items as they could. ‘Thomas Jefferson’s Escape Route.’
By October 1781, America had won Independence at Yorktown, Virginia. Jefferson stepped down as governor and returned to Monticello for a time. Tragically in 1782, his beloved wife Martha died of complications after childbirth. Martha had suffered from chronic ailments that weakened her immune system, possibly including diabetes. This profound loss undoubtedly haunted Jefferson. They had six daughters, but only two survived to adulthood.
By 1785, Jefferson was asked to serve as ambassador to France, a role he was born for. Jefferson was a Francophile to the core and a lover of all things French, especially French wines. He served in this role until the start of the French Revolution. At first, Jefferson was thrilled with the French moving away from monarchy, and he even helped draft Lafayette and Abbé Sieyès draft the French Declaration of The Rights of Man. However, his early optimism for the French Revolution soured as the movement became increasingly bloody and violent.
Though Jefferson initially served under Washington as Secretary of State, he clashed with Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton on the scope of the federal government and financial system. This break in ideology actually led to the first two party system: Federal (Hamilton and Washington) and Democratic-Republicans of Jefferson. I personally see value in both ideologies and if anything from studying this early history you can recognize the need for compromise and thoughtfulness in policy, something George Washington was fairly adept at in the early presidency. Read more about Hamilton vs. Jefferson here
Jefferson lost to John Adams in the 1796 election. Because the framers of the Constitution did not initially envision a multiple-party system, the Vice President was simply the runner-up in the overall electoral votes. This meant that Federalist Adams served as President, with Republican Jefferson as his Vice President.
The 1800 election saw a more complex outcome. While Adams failed to win re-election, Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson famously tied in the electoral votes. Ironically, it was Jefferson’s nemesis, Alexander Hamilton, who cast the deciding vote for Jefferson in the House of Representatives. If you are a fan of the musical Hamilton, they detail some of this, but many of the facts are historically inaccurate, such as the musical’s depiction of Jefferson approaching Hamilton with Burr regarding the handling of federal accounts. Learn more about the election of 1800 here.
As Jefferson became President in 1801, he sought to implement his Republican agenda with mixed success and failure. The crowning achievement of Jefferson’s presidency is widely considered the purchase of The Louisiana Territory (negotiated in France with the help of Robert Livingston and James Monroe). This acquisition doubled the size of the nation and profoundly helped define the coming generations of westward expansion. Learn more about Jefferson’s presidency here.
Jefferson’s Retirement at Poplar Forest: Building a Retreat
In 1806, Jefferson began work on the octagonal house at Poplar Forest, which he envisioned as a quiet retreat in his retirement years from the hubbub of Monticello. As a busy working estate, inhabited with extended family as well as lots of regular visitors, Jefferson knew he needed a quieter refuge for those times where he wanted to be with nature and have time to explore creativity and thought.
Jefferson personally came to Poplar Forest to assist in directing how the foundation was to be laid, as it involved a specific architectural process that was uncommon for master builders of the time. While Jefferson was the architect of the design, he hired Hugh Chisholm as the project’s master builder, who oversaw the creation of over 240,000 bricks made on site. Jefferson’s decision to use bricks proved crucial, helping to save the main core of the house after a fire broke out in the mid-1800s. The home has since been carefully restored to how it would have looked in Jefferson’s day.
Tragically, much of this masterful work was accomplished by craftsmen who were part of Jefferson’s enslaved community. While Jefferson personally voiced opposition to slavery, he struggled to fully align his actions with his beliefs. This was influenced by factors he interpreted as societal limits, such as laws making it difficult to free enslaved people, fears about their welfare if freed, and the burden of significant debts (some inherited from his father-in-law). If he were to free enslaved individuals, debtors could legally claim them and separate families.
As you tour the grounds and observe the masterful craftsmanship on the home, from its very foundations, it is important to remember the men who worked to bring Jefferson’s vision to life. John Hemings, for example, was responsible for the majority of the finished woodwork in and around the house. The roofline, entablatures, doors, and other wooden features would have been made by Hemings or one of his apprentices: Beverly, Madison, or Eston Hemings. We’ll learn more about the importance of the enslaved community later in the blog.
Palladian Principles at Poplar Forest
Jefferson’s architectural style was heavily influenced and inspired by Andrea Palladio, a Renaissance master architect from the Veneto region of Italy. I was fortunate to see several of his architectural works when I visited Veneto in 2023. Palladian design, like other Renaissance principles, embraces a revival of classical style alongside a renewal tied to modern design. Jefferson was first introduced to Palladio during his studies at William & Mary. Poplar Forest was notably influenced by Palladio’s Villa Barbaro, featuring two-story pavilions on each end with one-story wings connecting to a two-story central house.
At Poplar Forest, Jefferson ingeniously used the landscape to create this same silhouette. When the house was constructed, two double rows of Paper Mulberry trees were planted on either side to create the illusion of a wing. Much like the Roman villa concept, the 61-acre space Jefferson delineated as his retreat combined the ornamental with the functional. Jefferson referred to that space as the ‘curtilage,’ featuring orchards, gardens, and support buildings. Defined by Black’s Law Dictionary, curtilage means “…the enclosed area of land around a dwelling, [that] harbors the intimate activity associated with the sanctity of a man’s home and the privacies of life.” Beyond the curtilage fence lay the agricultural operation; within it lay Jefferson’s new, personal retreat.
The octagonal house sat at the heart of that personal space. From it radiated the geometry of much of his landscape: the house sat within a circular drive, which was set within a 10-acre square space, which in turn sat within the approximately rectangular 61-acre curtilage. The most highly ornamental part of the design is believed to lie within the circle. To create it, Jefferson directed a road to be laid “540 yds round” and had it lined with paper mulberry trees.
At the center of the circle, Jefferson clearly expressed the Palladian concept of seamlessly integrating house and grounds—interpreting Italian architect Andrea Palladio’s five-part architectural plan. Palladio’s architecture normally featured a central architectural mass, flanked by two wings, each ending in a pavilion. In 1813, Jefferson instructed his craftsmen to build the Wing of Offices on the east side of the house, giving him a traditional one-story wing that was balanced by a double row of mulberries on the west.
- Fun Fact: Did you know Jefferson helped inspired the East and West Wings of The White House – read more here
In 1813, Jefferson instructed his craftsmen to build the Wing of Offices on the east side of the house. This addition provided a traditional one-story wing, symmetrically complemented by a double row of mulberries on the west. This addition had an added value of providing a walkable terrace accessible from the home, where Jefferson and his granddaughters would ‘sallie about’ (meaning walk about) under the starlight enjoying the porch-like atmosphere.
Jefferson Lover of Octagons:
Both Monticello and Poplar Forest incorporate octagonal elements, while Poplar Forest is a purely Octagon style house. This style later grew in popularity, possibly from Jeffersonian influence through the early to mid 1800s.
Jefferson favored octagons for both their aesthetic and practical qualities. There is an elegant symmetry and efficiency in an octagon style home. The style has an ability to create bright, light-filled interior spaces. The eight-sided shape also appealed to his mathematical mind and desire for a structured, classical design. Additionally, the octagon provided a sense of retreat and visual surveillance
When you enter Poplar Forest you instantly are drawn to the symmetry and elegance of the space, without it feeling overly ornamented. There is a simplicity in each detail, focusing more on perspective and flow, which is both stately and humble. This I think reflects Jefferson’s ideology. He was no doubt learned and a lover of fine things, but he also had a deep respect for natural law and science, so having Poplar Forest. While I love heavily ornamented architecture as well, the reason the classical design resonates across time is the practical and elegant simplicity. It draws you beyond the immediate aesthetic to a deeper surface aesthetic.
What is interesting in this design, as well as other early architecture is the front and back porches can align so if you enter in the front portico of Poplar Forest, you can see all the way to the back entrance straight across (mirroring) if the doors in between are open. I suspect the practical purpose of this would be to help with air flow in hotter summer months, before the modern day blessings of AC, while also maintaining the desired symmetry. In the winter months the doors could be closed up in between (or for privacy at any time of the year) which would insulate the heat.
The tour of the Octagonal style house in the app guides you through each room and what it was used for. Outside from the cellar, the main portion of the home is all on one flow, which is great for flow, but also I’m sure Jefferson in his older years appreciated not having to go up and down tons of stairs.
The home is sparsely decorated to reflect Jefferson’s time at Poplar Forest, with some rooms completely empty. This is in part because historians are not exactly sure how the rooms were furnished. They do know Jefferson ordered three dozen Windsor chairs and painted them black with yellow trim from archived correspondence but there are few clues to exactly how it was furnished. You can learn about each room’s history and purpose on the app, along with on site exhibit information throughout the main portion of the home.
One highlight for me was seeing the skylight and how Jefferson used the skylight in his home. It is the only historic property from the early 1800s I’ve visited with a skylight and the light poured into the dining room, creating the aura of illumination as we admired the room. I imagined Jefferson sitting with his granddaughters at the table having conversation and trying to stay cool on a hot summer day.
In the interior of the home you can discover a unique machine used by Jefferson – The Polygraph…and NO this machine wasn’t used for lie detect, but for copying notes. I recommend this link from Monticello about Jefferson’s use of the ‘Jefferson Polygraph.’ It is very interesting.
Jefferson’s Life at Poplar Forest:
After his presidency ended in 1809, Jefferson began to visit Poplar Forest three to four times a year, typically staying from two weeks to two months at a time. These visits often coincided with the seasonal responsibilities of the working plantation. He oversaw the ornamentation of the house and grounds and the planting of his vegetable garden. Family members including two of his beloved granddaughters, Ellen and Cornelia Randolph began traveling with their grandfather to Poplar Forest in 1816. In the introductory video, they quoted Jefferson remarking how impressed he was with how much they read and studied. Per the video they’d spend hours in their rooms studying.
Jefferson used Poplar Forest as his retreat to attend some of his favorite pastimes. In a letter to friend (and fellow signer of the Declaration of Independence) Benjamin Rush in1811, Jefferson said about visiting Poplar Forest, “ I have fixed myself comfortably, keeping some books here, bring others occasionally, and in the solitude of a hermit and quite at leisure to attend to my absent friends.”
Jefferson loved the outdoors and the area around Lynchburg provides stunning scenery begging to be explored. Jefferson, like myself, had a love of the Peaks of Otter area, which is about thirty minutes from Lynchburg, on the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Bedford Virginia.
Jefferson, like many hikers today, enjoyed the uphill climb to the top of Sharp Top, the highest of the Peaks of Otter. Jefferson mistakenly believed that Sharp Top was the highest mountain in the eastern United States (that is actually Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina). The fact he hiked to the top at age 72 is impressive. I hiked it two years ago and it was a hard hike (I took the bus the second time around – it is still a hike with the bus, but a lot easier on the knees).
Jefferson indulged his love of nature combined with entrepreneurial spirit to purchase the Natural Bridge and encourage travelers to visit this iconic Virginia site. He also would visit Natural Bridge sometimes from Poplar Forest (about a 30 minute drive). Natural Bridge is a Virginia State Park and a must visit in the Virginia mountains.
By 1823, Jefferson’s health had declined to the point where he could no longer make the trip to Poplar Forest. He made the decision to give the property to his grandson, Francis Eppes. Tragically, Jefferson died on July 4th, 1826—the same day as John Adams. Adams and Jefferson had become political foes, but reignited their deep friendship in their later years. How apropos that these two founding fathers died on our nation’s birthday, which celebrates a document they worked so hard to write (Jefferson) and get approved (Adams) In 1828, Eppes sold the property to a neighbor to cover debts from his grandfather’s estate.
The design of Poplar Forest was 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, often altering it to suit their own needs. In 1845, a fire prompted the family then living at Poplar Forest to convert Jefferson’s villa into a practical farmhouse. The property remained privately owned until December 1983 when a nonprofit corporation began the rescue of this landmark for future generations. Visitors today can observe the ongoing reconstruction, restoration, and preservation efforts as they explore the house.
The Cellar: A Story Through Time
During your visit to Poplar Forest, don’t neglect to step into the basement cellar museum underneath the main house. This area dives into the history of many of the enslaved persons who lived on the property, including the remarkable Hubbard family. A significant exhibit also details the life of Burwell Colbert, Jefferson’s trusted manservant. Colbert was present at Jefferson’s deathbed, and Jefferson explicitly ensured his freedom in his will.
During Jefferson’s retirement, Burwell Colbert was ‘the main, principal servant’ at Monticello, responsible for running the household. As an enslaved butler, he directed the work of enslaved housemaids, waiters, and porters. He also served as Jefferson’s personal attendant, with duties including laying out Jefferson’s clothes and attending to his personal needs.
Colbert married his first cousin, Critta, the daughter of Nance Hemings. Burwell and Critta Colbert, who died in 1819, had five daughters: Nancy, Susan, Emily, Martha, and Thenia. Burwell was one of only five people freed in Jefferson’s will, which also granted him $300 to purchase the tools necessary to continue his trade as a painter and glazier. However, because Critta Colbert had belonged to Jefferson’s daughter and son-in-law, their children tragically remained enslaved. In freedom, Burwell worked at the University of Virginia and at the houses of some of Jefferson’s friends. In 1834, he married Elizabeth Battles, a free woman of color; they had three daughters (Sarah, Caroline, and Melinda). He died in 1862.
The Hubbard Family were an important part of Poplar Forest (see photos above)
The Enslaved Community at Poplar Forest:
Poplar Forest does an excellent job highlighting the stories of the enslaved persons who lived and worked at the plantation. These are real people whose stories are woven into the fabric of this land. Without their contributions Poplar Forest would not have existed. Per our tour we learned that as many as ninety-four enslaved people lived at Poplar Forest during the height of tobacco production in Jefferson’s time. At least ninety-five were owned by the later Cobbs/Hutter families. Letters and other documents provide glimpses into their daily lives, but unfortunately not a lot of information exists about where they lived exactly on site. Poplar Forest has excavation teams that have worked to unlock and share the stories of the enslaved persons, whose voice is so critical to the story of Poplar Forest. Learn more here
Travel Tips for Your Poplar Forest Visit:
Where to stay: Lynchburg has a number of wonderful chain and local hotels in the area. We stayed at TRU Hilton and it was a lovely place to stay for the night.
I personally recommend checking into my favorite getaway, The Peaks of Otter Lodge. Jefferson loved this mountain escape about thirty minutes from Lynchburg (in today’s driving time). The lodge is run by a concessionaire and owned by the National Park Service. We visit every year. Occasionally ‘Thomas Jefferson’ (reenactor) comes to Peaks of Otter to lead hikers to the apex of Sharp Top, which was one of his favorite hikes in the region.
Fun Fact: The stone Virginia selected to send as it’s specimen of rock for the Washington Monument came from The Peaks of Otter’s Sharp Top.
Subscribe for upcoming posts about Lynchburg and The Peaks of Otter on American Nomad.
Where to Eat: Lynchburg has tons of great restaurants from chains to local favorites. I recommend these dining guides from Virginia Tourism: https://www.virginia.org/blog/post/lynchburg-dining-guide/ and Lynchburg Tourism
Things to Do in the Area:
Within 1 hour of Lynchburg you can journey through history from Patrick Henry’s last home at Red Hill, to solemn Civil War battle sites including Appomattox Courthouse to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Lynchburg’s location on the James River provides a scenic waterfront you can explore. While Lynchburg itself is home to museums, cultural centers, shopping and dining. (Stay tuned for Lynchburg Travel Guide soon). As I hinted at earlier you can explore The Peaks of Otter and Blue Ridge Parkway, as well as the charming town of Bedford. Bedford is home to the National D-Day Memorial. More young men died fighting on D-Day from Bedford (per capita) than any other U.S. City. It is a moving and must-see Memorial. Poplar Forest offers a combo ticket for both Poplar Forest and the D-Day Memorial.
Next up we’ll be continuing our Virginia travels with a tour of Lynchburg, Blue Ridge Fun and Appomattox history before heading south to my home state of NC and also SC for Revolutionary War adventures in the Waxhaws of Carolina!
Hi, I’m Adele Lassiter, the travel enthusiast behind American Nomad Traveler. This is where I share my love for history, cool museums, art, and travel tips. When I’m not writing, I’m a singer-songwriter with a passion for Americana music. You can find my new album here: adelelassiter.bandcamp.com
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