Forest in Bedford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

“I have this summer built a wing of offices...”

—Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 1814

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 17, 2022

1. “I have this summer built a wing of offices...” Marker

Inscription. The Wing of Offices was constructed on the east side of Jefferson's retreat home in 1814, “110 feet long, in the manner of those at Monticello, with a flat roof in the level of the floor of the house." Hannah, the enslaved cook, spent many of her days working here, at times assisted by other women and children. Burwell Colbert, Jefferson's enslaved butler and valet who traveled with him from Monticello, would have been in charge of serving food in the house and attending to Jefferson's personal needs while he was in residence.

After dinner, Jefferson and his grandchildren could use the roof of the Wing for leisure. In 1817, Jefferson wrote, "about Twilight of the evening, we sally out with the owls & bats and take our evening exercise on the terras." With its unique roof system designed by Jefferson, the Wing allowed for scenic family strolls above while concealing the ongoing work of enslaved people that took place beneath their feet. Letter written by Hannah to Jefferson, November 15, 1818. Hannah could read and write, skills that she probably shared with other enslaved individuals. Archaeologists discovered pieces of a writing slate at a slave quarter, suggesting that at least one resident was literate.

(caption)
Background image by Thomas Jefferson, undated, and letter by Hannah,

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1818; courtesy of Massachusetts Historical Society

Erected by Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.

Location. 37° 20.839′ N, 79° 15.862′ W. Marker is in Forest, Virginia, in Bedford County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Poplar Forest Drive and Foxhall Drive, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1542 Bateman Bridge Road, Forest VA 24551, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Crafting a Masterpiece, Longing for Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Mounds Made of Ideas and Sweat (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Poplar Forest Planting Memorandum 1812 (about 300 feet away); Plantation Worker Housing (about 300 feet away); Transforming a Plantation into a Private Retreat, 1806—1826 (about 400 feet away); "A Culture Productive of Infinite Wretchedness” (about 400 feet away); St. Stephen's Church (approx. 2½ miles away); Samuel Miller (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Forest.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 17, 2022

2. “I have this summer built a wing of offices...” Marker

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "Why is the lawn sunken?".

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 282 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 18, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.