Fall Outing: Climb Sharp Top (one of the Peaks of Otter) with “Thomas Jefferson” Sept. 10

Explore one of Virginia’s most legendary landscapes, guided by one of the most legendary Virginians—Thomas Jefferson himself. Mr. Jefferson returns to the Peaks of Otter on Sunday, September 10 at 2:30 p.m. to lead a limited number of guests on a tour of the scenic mountain peak of Sharp Top and to share his unique perspective on the cultural and natural histories it holds. The tour is made possible through the partnership of the Peaks of Otter Lodge, the National Park Service and Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. Following the hike, at 5:00 p.m., the public is invited to Peaks of Otter Lodge to hear Mr. Jefferson speak about the mountains and a “subject of uncertain conjecture.”

The Peaks of Otter, a group of three mountain peaks—Sharp Top, Flat Top and Harkening Hill—in the Blue Ridge Mountains, overlook the town of Bedford, Virginia, and Jefferson’s beloved Poplar Forest retreat. Jefferson wrote about them in his 1781 book Notes on the State of Virginia, postulating that when their height is measured they would be found to be the tallest mountains in the country, possibly in all of North America. Thirty-four years later, Jefferson refuted his own theory when he—accompanied by Francis Walker Gilmer and José Correia da Serra—measured the elevation of the Peaks of Otter. Working with surveyor’s equipment, he identified a mile-long base along the Otter River, took some angles from the summit of Sharp Top and then employed trigonometric calculations to determine the elevation of the three peaks. In the process, Jefferson hiked up and down Sharp Top twice—at the age of 72.

Upon returning from the hike, Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by actor Bill Barker, will greet interested members of the public and his dinner guests on the lawn by Abbott Lake and regale them with stories of his claims about the Peaks of Otter and his interest in the natural world. The program then moves to the meeting room for a slide show and presentation by Jack Gary, Poplar Forest’s Director of Archaeology and Landscapes and Amy Fritz, Interpreter with the National Park Service. Afterward Mr. Jefferson will join his guests for dinner and additional conversation in the Calvin Rice Room at Peaks of Otter Lodge. Dinner includes Annette’s Julienne Soup, a beef vegetable soup made from a recipe brought back from France by Annette, a governess of the Jeffersons; a dressed salad, made from a period recipe featuring French dressing with egg; fricassee of local chicken served with seasonal vegetables and pasta with parmesan; and Apples Bonne Femme with ice cream for dessert.

Bill Barker has portrayed Thomas Jefferson in a variety of settings for nearly 30 years. A historian who was attracted to the stage at an early age, Barker was cast as Jefferson in many different venues, including the musical 1776. The professional actor, director and producer is of the same height, weight and general appearance of Jefferson. He has portrayed Jefferson at Colonial Williamsburg since 1993 and at Poplar Forest, Monticello, the White House and the Palace of Versailles, and numerous venues throughout the United States, Great Britain and France; and has developed an extensive repertoire of Jefferson presentations.

Peaks of Otter will have a shuttle available for pick-up (at 2:30 p.m.) and drop-off at the lodge. Those interested in attending are asked to bear in mind that while the shuttle will take the participants most of the way up the mountain, it is still a strenuous hike from the drop-off point to the top of Sharp Top. Shuttle capacity is limited to 19 guests and reservations are required.

Mr. Jefferson’s talk and the slide show presentation are open to the public and free of charge. Dinner with Mr. Jefferson at the Peaks of Otter Lodge is $64 plus tax, per person. Reservations for the 2:30 p.m. shuttle and dinner are required, with limited space available. An overnight lodging package at the Peaks of Otter Lodge is also available. For more information or to make reservations for the dinner or overnight package, visit http://www.peaksofotter.com/stay/packages-and-deals/jefferson-package or call 866-387-9905 and mention promo code: Jefferson.