Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest will host its annual Archaeology Open House on Saturday, October 4th featuring a free behind-the-scenes look at the excavation underway at the third president’s retreat in Bedford County and a rare opportunity to visit the archaeology laboratory.
Jack Gary, director of archaeology and landscapes, and his staff will showcase the latest findings at the current excavation and demonstrate techniques used to recover artifacts that tell the property’s story. The most recent excavations, located about 200 yards from the main house, have begun to reveal features that could be associated with a large complex of Jefferson-era buildings and gardens.
The Archaeology Open House is part of Virginia’s celebration of Archaeology Month, sponsored every October by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR). The theme for 2008 is Building on the Past. Free archaeology tours at Poplar Forest are scheduled throughout the day at 11:15 a.m., 12:15, 1:15 and 2:15 p.m.
The archaeologists’ laboratory, usually closed to the public, will be included in each tour. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the extraordinary array of artifacts emerging at Poplar Forest. Archaeologists have recovered more than 200,000 objects in over 20 years of excavation. Special items will be on display, including objects from daily life found at Jefferson’s “wing of offices,” artifacts recovered from the 1790-1812 slave quarter site, a wide array of domestic and personal items found in an 1830-1858 slave cabin, as well as examples of the objects that have been coming out of the current site.
The current excavation that visitors will tour with Mr. Gary is part of an area that was heavily used in Jefferson’s time, and may have contained the plantation’s ornamental plant nursery, stables, vegetable garden, and slave quarters.
“We know from documentary evidence that Jefferson had what appears to be a complex of support areas and buildings that all stood near each other. After five years of excavation at this site, we’re beginning to form some ideas about where these elements may have stood,” said Gary. “Cobbled surfaces, postholes, and a possible foundation trench are a few of the features uncovered this summer that lead us to believe we’re in an area heavily used for plantation activities. The artifacts are also telling a fascinating story that gives us new insight into the lives of enslaved residents in the era after Jefferson’s death. ”
“The Open House is a great way to engage visitors in the variety of analytical techniques we’ve used at this site in order to fully understand how this area was used during Jefferson’s time as well as by the later inhabitants of Poplar Forest,” said Gary. “It’s important to be able to keep our visitors on the same page.”
So far the archaeologists working at the current site have uncovered artifacts that indicate the likely presence of plantation support buildings and areas of activity. Objects that indicate people were also living at or near this site include large quantities of early and mid-19th century ceramics and bottle glass, and items like thimbles, buttons, marbles, and pieces of clay and stone tobacco pipes. Architectural artifacts include nails, bricks, and window glass, suggesting the presence of plantation structures. Among the numerous features found at the site are a large trench, a cobble-lined drain, a cobbled surface, a possible builder’s trench for a foundation, and a large deposit of building debris.
In addition to the Archaeology Open House, Jefferson’s octagonal house at Poplar Forest will be open for tours with regular admission. House tours begin every half hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The grounds close at 5:00 p.m.
About Poplar
Forest Poplar Forest is Thomas Jefferson's secluded plantation and retreat home, now a National Historic Landmark. Undergoing award-winning restoration and archaeology, Poplar Forest offers tours and special events. Poplar Forest is open April through November, Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (434) 525-1806 or visit www.poplarforest.org for additional information.