Poplar Forest Archaeology

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Poplar Forest Archaeology

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Archaeological research at Thomas Jefferson's retreat home.

10/08/2026

DON’T FORGET! Behind the scenes tours start tomorrow at 11am. There’s also a tour tomorrow at 2pm. If neither of those work for you… we’ve also got tours Saturday!! Visit poplarforest.org now to book ahead of time and get a reduced rate!

10/02/2026

Join us for our Behind the Scenes tour on October 9th and 10th. Each day offers two possible tour times (11am and 2pm) to fit your schedule. Get a curator-led tour of our archeology lab, visit active excavation sites with the archaeologists digging them, then explore Thomas Jefferson's retreat house! Visit poplarforest.org for more info.

10/01/2026

⚠️New project alert! Our field crew has officially moved to the Quarter Site. Previous excavations in the 1990s under Dr. Barbara Heath’s leadership revealed a double-sided cabin and a few other structures at this site, which was occupied by enslaved people c. 1790-1812. We’re excited to continue research at the Quarter Site and learn more about the people who lived here.

09/14/2026

We're excited to have a 2026 field school student, Jessie, back at Poplar Forest. She's here for the fall months to assist our field crew as they start excavations at the Quarter Site - a site of enslavement during the Jefferson period.

09/09/2026

Save the date! Public Archaeology Day is September 12th, from 10am to 3pm. You can come dig, screen, and wash artifacts with real archaeologists! This is a family-friendly event with something for all ages. It's also part of our wonderful Roots and Reconnection Festival, which celebrates and remembers the enslaved people who lived and worked on the plantation.

09/08/2026

Join us on September 12th for our annual Roots and Reconnection Festival! We will be hosting a public archaeology day where YOU can dig, screen, and wash artifacts at the 1857 Slave Dwelling... but we're only one part of the property-wide event!

Learn more at https://www.poplarforest.org/event/roots-and-reconnection-festival-2026/

08/21/2026

Even as stabilization efforts continue at the 1857 Slave Dwelling, new discoveries are being made. Our Assistant Archaeologist (Laura) and Field Tech (Emma) are happy to share the most recent insight into the landscape changes that were made as Thomas Jefferson’s house was being built at Poplar Forest. Come visit us in the field to learn more!

08/20/2026

Join us in offering a warm Poplar Forest welcome to our newest member! Emma was an intern for our six-week field school this summer, and we’re happy to officially have her back as a field tech. Emma says she is excited for the experience and is looking forward to learning more about the property and the people who lived here through excavation at our ongoing sites. She recently graduated from VCU with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. Her favorite archaeology tool is the pickaxe ⛏️

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07/30/2026

Catch our last field school blog online!! Students Kit and Adrien summarize week 6 and their closing thoughts on the 2026 Field School in Historic Archaeology 🙌🪏

07/25/2026

HAPPY 40th ANNIVERSARY! Four decades ago, the first archaeological excavations were started at Poplar Forest around the Wing of Offices. Three years later, the Department of Archaeology and Landscapes was founded. We are proud of the last forty years of research, discovery, and community outreach.

Come visit us to see the latest excavations!

Address

687 Poplar Forest Drive
Forest, VA
24551

Website

https://www.poplarforest.org/learn/archaeology-and-landscape-restoration/, https://linktr.ee/pfarchaeology

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