Poplar Forest: Press Release

Poplar Forest Awarded International Tourism Grant
Tourism Cares will Support Exterior Restoration of Jefferson’s 1814 Wing of Offices

Forest, VA – Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest is pleased to announce that it has been selected to receive a $10,000 grant from Tourism Cares. The grant will support exterior restoration and construction of Thomas Jefferson’s 1814 “wing of offices.”

Tourism Cares is a non-profit group that mobilizes the travel and tourism industry to give back to society through grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide. They distribute grants to worthy tourism-related non-profit organizations worldwide for projects varying from brick-and-mortar improvements to conservation and sustainable tourism initiatives.

“Across the globe, the Tourism Cares grants support the protection and enhancement of these precious, cultural landmarks,” said Bruce Beckham, Executive Director of Tourism Cares.

The wing of service rooms at Poplar Forest, dating from 1814, was designed by Thomas Jefferson and contains a storage room, kitchen, laundry/cook’s room and smokehouse. The Tourism Cares grant will assist with the purchase of glass and hardware for doors and windows, as well as other construction materials for the restoration and re-construction of this significant feature of Thomas Jefferson’s retreat.

“We are grateful for this important grant that will support the final steps needed to restore the exterior of Jefferson’s wing of service rooms at Poplar Forest,” said Lynn Beebe, president of Poplar Forest. “The completion of the wing in 2009 will mark a major restoration milestone and we hope that visitors will visit Poplar Forest this year to witness the restoration craftsmanship in-process.”

Throughout 2008, visitors can see Poplar Forest craftsmen complete the exterior restoration of the wing of offices using early 19th-century materials, tools and building methods. Visitors this season will see windows and doors in place and craftsmen will begin to install the wing’s flat decking. With the wing’s completion in 2009, visitors to Poplar Forest will, for the first time in more than 160 years, be able to stand on the lawn and see the exterior of the house as Jefferson designed it.

Poplar Forest opens to the public for the 2008 season on April 1^st. For additional information about Tourism Cares, please visit www.tourismcares.org.

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.


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PDF format Printer friendly format	Poplar Forest Awarded International Tourism Grant Tourism Cares will Support Exterior Restoration of Jefferson’s 1814 Wing of Offices Forest, VA – Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest is pleased to announce that it has been selected to receive a $10,000 grant from Tourism Cares. The grant will support exterior restoration and construction of Thomas Jefferson’s 1814 “wing of offices.” Tourism Cares is a non-profit group that mobilizes the travel and tourism industry to give back to society through grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide. They distribute grants to worthy tourism-related non-profit organizations worldwide for projects varying from brick-and-mortar improvements to conservation and sustainable tourism initiatives. “Across the globe, the Tourism Cares grants support the protection and enhancement of these precious, cultural landmarks,” said Bruce Beckham, Executive Director of Tourism Cares. The wing of service rooms at Poplar Forest, dating from 1814, was designed by Thomas Jefferson and contains a storage room, kitchen, laundry/cook’s room and smokehouse. The Tourism Cares grant will assist with the purchase of glass and hardware for doors and windows, as well as other construction materials for the restoration and re-construction of this significant feature of Thomas Jefferson’s retreat. “We are grateful for this important grant that will support the final steps needed to restore the exterior of Jefferson’s wing of service rooms at Poplar Forest,” said Lynn Beebe, president of Poplar Forest. “The completion of the wing in 2009 will mark a major restoration milestone and we hope that visitors will visit Poplar Forest this year to witness the restoration craftsmanship in-process.” Throughout 2008, visitors can see Poplar Forest craftsmen complete the exterior restoration of the wing of offices using early 19th-century materials, tools and building methods. Visitors this season will see windows and doors in place and craftsmen will begin to install the wing’s flat decking. With the wing’s completion in 2009, visitors to Poplar Forest will, for the first time in more than 160 years, be able to stand on the lawn and see the exterior of the house as Jefferson designed it. Poplar Forest opens to the public for the 2008 season on April 1^st. For additional information about Tourism Cares, please visit www.tourismcares.org. 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.