This header photo shows the front door and entrance of Thomas Jefferson's retreat home, Poplar Forest. Jefferson described this home, which is a miniature of his more well-known Monticello home, as a place where he could get away from the demands of public life and commit himself to reading and thinking. More than 1,500 of the surviving documents written by Jefferson's own hand originated from this location.
Because of the immense impact Thomas Jefferson had on our nation as our third president and as the author of the Declaration of Independence, not much is taught about Jefferson the man. We, the people of the United States, seem to only know Jefferson the politician.
Growing up very close to Monticello, I benefited from getting to know a little more about Thomas Jefferson than the typical things found in grade school history books. But I didn't notice very much more than Jefferson's architectural genius when I visited Monticello.
But at Poplar Forest, less than five miles from my home now, I learned about Thomas Jefferson's private life—and his genius did not stop at his philosophy of government or his understanding of architectural design. He was centuries ahead of his time in architectural design, but also a true Renaissance man in matters of landscaping, botany, and even society's social responsibility.
God has blessed our nation greatly with some amazing leaders. I highly recommend a visit to Poplar Forest for your next family outing if you are within driving distance. It is inspiring at a level that defies description.
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