FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2008
| Press Contact: |
Anna McAlpine, Director of Public Relations & Marketing
anna@poplarforest.org
434 525-1806, ext. 116 |
2008 Calendar of Events at Jefferson’s Poplar Forest
Activities Showcase Thomas Jefferson, Restoration, Archaeology
Forest, VA – Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest is pleased to announce its 2008 Calendar of Events.
Celebrate Thomas Jefferson’s 265th birthday on April 13th! Birthday cake will be served to visitors between 12 – 2:00 p.m. with a special talk and ceremonial planting by The American Chestnut Foundation. Poplar Forest will mark the occasion with a concert by The Léya String Quartet from the Universite de Montreal. Advance tickets to the concert are recommended.
Poplar Forest’s most popular event, “An Evening of Conversation” returns in 2008 as Mr. Jefferson, played by Colonial Williamsburg’s renowned Jefferson interpreter Bill Barker, hosts the “first First Lady” Dolley Madison on May 3rd. This is the first time that Jefferson has hosted a female contemporary at Poplar Forest -- as a widower, he often called on Mrs. Madison to serve as the hostess for White House functions.
As always, the audience is invited to participate in the conversation as Mr. Jefferson and Mrs. Madison converse on topics from the political demands of the presidency, to Washington City society, to the “great little Madison,” as Dolley sometimes called her husband, future president James Madison. Advance tickets are recommended. Call (434) 534-8120 to reserve your seat for this engaging event.
2008 offers multiple opportunities for local residents and travelers alike to learn more about ongoing architectural restoration and archaeology taking place at Poplar Forest. Visitors can also experience visits from artists, authors and musicians.
Additional activities may be scheduled throughout the year. Please visit http://www.poplarforest.org/calendar.html for all calendar updates.
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, special events, and school outreach programs. 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.
NOTE: Images available upon request. Please email anna@poplarforest.org for more information.
Please visit http://www.poplarforest.org/calendar.html for all calendar updates. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Monday, April through November. Closed on Tuesdays (with the exception of April 1) and Thanksgiving Day.
2008 Calendar of Events
| April 1 |
Poplar Forest Opens for the Season
Artist Michael Martin will be on-site to sign prints and talk with visitors about his work. His original drawings are created with graphite and take anywhere from 30 to 50 hours to create. |
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| April 5 |
Book Signing, Alan Pell Crawford 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Mr. Crawford is the acclaimed author of the latest book on Thomas Jefferson, " Twilight at Monticello: The Final Years of Thomas Jefferson." |
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| April 13 |
Jefferson’s Birthday
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Celebrate the 265th anniversary of Jefferson ’s birth. Cake served! Free. Admission charge for house tour.
The American Chestnut Foundation 12:30 p.m.
Kathy Marmet, Vice President for Education of the Virginia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation will present "American Chestnut Restoration in Virginia : Returning a Giant to our Forests,” followed by a ceremonial planting on Poplar Forest grounds.
Birthday Concert by The Léya String Quartet 2:30 p.m.
With wine and cheese reception.
Tickets in Advance: Adults ($15.00) Youth ($10.00)
Tickets at the Door: Adults ($18.00) Youth ($12.00) |
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| May 3 |
An Evening of Conversation
7 p.m. Join in conversation as President Jefferson hosts Dolley Madison. Reception, stationed tours and program.
Tickets in Advance: Adults ($25.00) Youth ($12.00)
Tickets at the Door: Adults ($28.00) Youth ($14.00)
“The Poplar Forest Collection: Art from Artifact”
The collection of photo-illustrations by artist Rob McDonald will be on display during the day. The collection contains five limited edition giclees focusing on food and wine related artifacts recovered at Poplar Forest . |
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| May 17 |
Restoration Talk and Tour
3 p.m. Discover why Jefferson ’s retreat design was a radically modern architectural work in early America . Slide talk and tour. Free with regular admission charge. Reservations recommended. |
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May
September
October |
Plantation Community Tour
Saturdays, 11:15 a.m. Learn about the enslaved community and the sights and sounds of Jefferson ’s farm. Free with regular admission charge. |
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| May 25 to June 7 |
Architectural Restoration Field School |
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| June 1 to July 4 |
20th Annual Summer Field School in Historical Archaeology |
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| July 4 |
Independence Day Celebration
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Experience a musical performance and an evocative reading of the Declaration of Independence. Free. Admission charge for house tour. Picnics welcome. |
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| July 14 to 18 |
Archaeology, Restoration and History Summer Kids Camp
Field camp for rising 4th and 5th graders. |
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| September 27 |
Museum Day
Free admission with Smithsonian Museum Day Card. |
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| October 4 |
Archaeology Open House
Tours at 11:15 a.m. , 12:15 , 1:15 and 2:15 p.m. Archaeologists share their latest discoveries at the current archaeological unit with a visit to the archaeology lab. Free. Admission charge for house tour. |
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| October 4 |
Circling The Globe
Lynchburg Amateur Radio Club transmits from Poplar Forest . Free. Admission charge for house tour.
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