Poplar Forest has bigger July 4th events on tap this year

After downsizing Independence Day festivities last year, Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest is bringing back a larger celebration this year, complete with music, dance, games, sword swallowing and fire eating.

The Bedford County retreat home, which this year is celebrating its bicentennial of when Jefferson retired there from the White House, is hosting many events and period entertainers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The events will include a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1:30 p.m. on the back porch of the octagonal home.

A fife-and-drums corps, along with other musicians, will perform music of Jefferson’s time prior to the reading. Virginia Academy of Historic Dance, a group that researches and choreographs dances of the commonwealth’s early cultural heritage, also will perform.

Entertainers will swallow swords, consume fire, sing period songs, display the art of weaving baskets as slaves did, tell stories and make Colonial pottery, among other attractions. Other festivities include blacksmith demonstrations and Native American rope making.

Thomas Jefferson’s Spirit of New London, a reproduction of a batteau that traveled the James River during Jefferson’s era, also will be on display.

There will be story times for children at 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 2:45 along with old-fashioned games like stick-horse races, hoop rolling and tug-of-war.

Food vendors will also be selling various foods, snacks and drinks. Interior tours of Jefferson’s house are available through a separate admission fee.

An entrance fee of $10 per car and $30 for buses will be charged at the gate.

Living History Presenters

African American Basket Weaver — Learn from Interpreter Robert Watson the art of weaving baskets made by slaves during the 18th century. 

Blacksmith — Watch demonstrations of traditional blacksmithing practices by Interpreter Bobby Floyd. Blacksmiths of Jefferson’s era worked with iron to make or repair farming tools, horse and oxen shoes, and the tools that were necessary for the daily tasks in the household, such as pots and utensils for hearth cooking. With the establishment of roads the blacksmith also started to repair wagons and carts.

Cardinal Lace Guild — Learn about the art of making homemade bobbin lace as interpreters from the Cardinal Lace Guild demonstrate this Jefferson-era skill.

Caricature Entertainment — Have a satirical drawing of yourself done by the traveling caricaturist Kyle Edgell.

“Dressing” Flax — Watch as interpreter Trish Duncan from the Francis Land House demonstrates the process of “dressing” flax, taking the flax fiber from the plant stage to where it is ready for making cloth.

Hearth Cooking Presentation — Visit the kitchen in Jefferson’s Wing of Offices to see a typical period Bill of Fare. Learn about the different cooking methods used in Jefferson’s Virginia as Carl and Betsy Mason, Poplar Forest volunteers, interpret Jefferson’s modern kitchen.

Children’s Activities — Games, races, and other fun crafts for children held in Area V and in the Hand-on History Center.

Children’s Story Time — Poplar Forest volunteer Cauthorn Walker will present story time for children at 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.

Common Stock Entertainments — Enjoy historic entertainment for the common folk including bell playing, a la planchette marionettes, curio show, playing and singing period songs, and hobby horses. Commonstock will lead off the stick horse races at Noon and 2 p.m.

Native American Rope Making and other Native Crafts — Learn how the Native Americans made rope for use in their villages as Vicki Ferguson of the Monacan Nation shares her knowledge of this craft.  In addition she will talk about the Native American use of bark baskets and cattail mats.

Otto and Tarot, Sword Swallowers — Otto Knowbetter who came from a decent family and farm has fallen upon hard times and is showing off his freakish proclivities of swallowing swords and consuming fire.  Otto will be joined by Tarot in swallowing swords and consuming fire before your eyes in a breath-taking and spine-tingling show of comedy and courage.  Otto Knowbetter is portrayed by Alexander Kensington and Tarot is portrayed by Charon Henning.

Physick-Dentist — Surrounded by a large display of artifacts, physick/dentist Mike Connolly will discuss the medicine, medical treatments, and practices used in Jefferson’s Virginia.  Prepare to take this physick’s medical test as you’re recruited into the Virginia Militia.

Potter — Watch potter Rudy Tucker shape pottery on the potter’s wheel.  The Colonial American potters worked with many different kind of clays. The colors of the clay were reddish, brownish, or grayish.

Recruiting and Drilling — Participate in the recruitment and drilling of recruits for the Virginia Militia. Interpreters Melvin Lester and Robert Howell will drill the recruits once they have passed the physick’s medical examination for service.

Signora Bella — A 19th century Italian street performer, Signora Bella portrayed by Johanna Ellis, will amaze her audiences with feats of balance, juggling and slack rope walking. 

Spinner — Talk with spinner Mauna Hair about the home production of yarn from wool.

Storyteller — Hear stories of the enslaved African-American plantation community as local storyteller Royal Jones intrigues her audiences.

The Itinerant Band — A talented group of musicians will perform traditional musical selections from Thomas Jefferson’s day.  There will be 3 performances of 45 minutes.

Thomas Jefferson’s Spirit of New London — A reproduction of a Jefferson-era batteau traveling the James River.  The crew of this batteau built her using traditional methods and sailed her during James River Batteau Festivals.  Jefferson raised and cured tobacco on the Poplar Forest plantation and oversaw the shipping of the product by batteau from Lynchburg to Richmond and beyond.  In addition to talking about the batteau’s role in Virginia, crew members Gene and Brenda Shrewsbury demonstrate soap making. The vessel is sponsored by the Friends of New London, Virginia, Inc.

Uncle Henry’s Favorites — An exciting group shares musical favorites from the Lewis and Clark trail/era.

Virginia Academy of Historic Dance — Partner with a period dancer to experience the thrill of a colonial ballroom.

Williamsburg Field Musick — Listen to Fife and Drum music and watch as the fifer and drummer lead the parade at 1:30 p.m. on the South Lawn.