The villa at Poplar Forest is a monument to Thomas Jefferson’s architectural design prowess, while the decorative elements inside highlight the expertise and craftsmanship of enslaved artisans such as John Hemmings who built it. The restoration of the villa also reflects the skill of the master carpenters who, over a period of 40 years, recreated the enslaved craftsmen’s meticulous work using the same tools and materials and in the same order that the house was first built. Join Poplar Forest’s restoration supervisor, Austin Englund, for a special, in-depth look at all things historic woodworking in this hands-on, two-part workshop.

Tour the Poplar Forest workshop, learn about the tools used to restore the house and, in the second session, craft your own souvenir photo frame. Tickets for the February 15 introductory session are $50 per person; tickets to attend both sessions of the Hands-on workshop are $75 per person with the discount code provided, and cover the materials to make a photo frame in the second session and a pass to return to tour Jefferson’s villa.

Hands-on Workshop Series
Saturday, February 15 and Saturday, March 15 at 10 a.m. each day