In late October, members of the William Taylor Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Meherrin Chapter of Colonial Dames Seventeenth Century visited Poplar Forest in Bedford, Thomas Jefferson’s tranquil retreat from his busy life at Monticello. Begun in 1806 when Jefferson was still President and completed in 1816, Poplar Forest has a unique architectural design and was probably the first octagonal house to have been built in the United States. Standing in the photo taken on the rear of the house, in front of the arched entryway into the full basement are, from left, front row, Betty Watson, South Hill; Betty Winn, Alberta; William Taylor Regent Merny Erby, Victoria; Kristin Windon, Victoria; back row, tour guide Jack Thompson, Diane Daniel, Alberta; and Anne Hamlett of Victoria. On April 6, 2003, the Meherrin Chapter of Colonial Dames dedicated a marker at Poplar Forest in recognition of the site’s historical significance.