Poplar Forest Archaeology

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Forest, VA
Poplar Forest Archaeology

Archaeological research at Thomas Jefferson's retreat home.

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!

07/10/2026

Week 5 of our archaeology blog is up! Field school students Jessie and Kate talk about the newest discoveries and events happening at the 1857 Slave Dwelling in their article. Read all about it at poplarforest.org!

07/02/2026

The week 4 installations of our archaeology blog are up! Two of our students, Kristen and James, review a week so full of activity that it had to be split into two blogs. Don’t miss out on the fun…take a look now! You can access the blog at poplarforest.org or through our Linktree.

07/01/2026

Shoe for one! Our field school students continue the tradition of finding artifacts with sole at the 1857 Slave Dwelling. Yesterday two leather shoes were discovered simultaneously in units on opposite sides of the building. The artifacts were carefully excavated and brought to the lab for further analysis.

06/29/2026

Catch up on our archaeology blog! Week 2 and 3 of our field school overviews are up now. See what these students have to say about their time working and learning at Poplar Forest. Ryan, Dana, Kat, and Alison reflect on their field school experiences in the latest updates.

06/16/2026

We were honored to table at the Monacan Indian Nation Powwow a few weekends ago. The indigenous people were here long before Thomas Jefferson ever came to Poplar Forest. Thank you so much to the Monacan Indian Nation for allowing us to join in this celebration!

06/12/2026

Our field school week one blog is live! You can view it at poplar forest.org or on our Linktree. Check out what Abran (student) and Emma (intern) have to say about their experience at Poplar Forest!

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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