Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest Awarded Grant from the Virginia Tobacco ICR Commission

FOREST, Va. - Dec. 16, 2014 - PRLog -- Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest recently received a $132,524 grant from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission to help the National Historic Landmark conduct the archaeological exploration and research required for the design of a proposednew entryway and parkway to the historic house and grounds.

"The Tobacco Commission's generous grant was put to immediate use to fund the hiring of seven archaeological technicians who will work under Poplar Forest's professional staff in the Department of Archaeology and Landscapes. The field technicials began work on December 1 and will continue into mid-summer," said Jeffrey L. Nichols, president and CEO of the Corporation for Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest. The archaeological team will be charged with locating and identifying archaeological sites and cultural resources within the corridor of the proposed parkway. This work will ensure that the parkway will not negatively impact important historic resources. Secondly, the archaeologists will be looking for Jeffersonian-era plantation features that expand the interpretation of the plantation, such as the Prize Barn site, blacksmith shop and distillery.

"The proposed entryway and parkway will help to raise the visibility of this historic attraction, which should, in turn, aid in increasing local tourism," noted Delegate Kathy J. Byron (R-Bedford). "This is one of a long string of successes resulting from the partnership between Poplar Forest and the Tobacco Commission."