Poplar Forest, the Bedford County retreat home of Thomas Jefferson, is set to break ground Sunday on an expansion of its visitor services building.
The retreat’s museum shop is used for ticket sales, retail purchases and checking out GPS handheld devices that were introduced last year to provide visitors with digital information in walking tours.
The 616-square-foot facility is set to expand by 33 percent, or 200 square feet, to better accommodate services and meet visitors’ needs, according to a news release from the nonprofit corporation that operates the National Historic landmark.
The $177,000 project will include technology upgrades for faster processing of ticket and retail sales, parking lot improvements, building renovation and new restrooms.
The nonprofit that operates the site received a $91,000 grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission and $20,000 from the Harry and Alice L. Stillman Foundation to support the project, along with a previous $40,000 grant from the commission. Another $26,000 for the project still needs to be raised, said Anna Benson, the retreat’s director of public relations and marketing.
Del. Kathy Byron, R-Campbell County, said in the release the retreat home has “unique potential” to contribute to long-term economic growth, and the expansion is a “worthy project.”
The retreat has reported a 50 percent increase in visitors in 2009, which marked the 200th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson’s first visit.
Byron emphasized Poplar Forest’s impact on lodging and restaurants that supports new jobs and tax revenue.
Lynn Beebe, president of Poplar Forest, said the project meets the needs of tourists who are vital in producing revenue to help preserve and develop “this national educational and cultural resource.”
The groundbreaking is set to follow a July 4 celebration that is expected to draw a festive crowd of a few thousand guests.
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