Poplar Forest, Virginia

Even though Monticello was his custom-made dream home, founding father Thomas Jefferson still felt the need to escape it. For this he had his other dream home, Poplar Forest, a few days ride away, where he sought the “solitude of a hermit” with his family. He began working on the house here in 1806, and continued for the rest of his life. Poplar Forest was Palladian in style, and unusually octagonal. Even the outhouse was octagonal. Jefferson gave Poplar Forest to his grandson, who sold it and moved to Florida a few years after Jefferson died. Poplar Forest was altered dramatically by subsequent owners, and even operated as a restaurant for a while. It  is now in preservationists’ hands, and is partially restored and open to the public.