Poplar Forest, Plantation in Forest, Virginia
Poplar Forest is a brick residence with an octagonal floor plan in Forest, Virginia, listed among the National Historic Landmarks. The architecture follows a geometric design with three elongated rooms around a square central area on multiple levels.
Thomas Jefferson inherited the property in 1773 from his father-in-law John Wayles and designed the house during his presidency in 1806. The original estate covered around 4,800 acres of land in Bedford County.
The estate shows traces of indigenous settlements from before European colonization through the late Woodland period. Archaeological finds confirm the presence of people over thousands of years on this land.
The house museum opens its doors daily from March through December, while winter visits from January through March are possible only on weekends. The grounds lie away from larger towns and require a car to reach.
Jefferson applied mathematical principles to create perfect octagonal symmetry in the building, achieving a rare example of geometric architecture. The precise alignment of rooms follows a calculated proportional system.
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