Perspectives may be changing on how tourists best appreciate the sweeping, column-laden majesty of Jefferson’s architecture or recreate the social activities of his time. Today’s Lynchburg News & Advance revisited recently published tourism numbers from Monticello (441,739 guests in 2007, the spot’s lowest total in roughly 30 years) and then, presumably to add insult to Charlottesville injury, threw in a few Lynchburg sites for comparison, including “Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest,” which attracted nearly 2,000 more guests during the last year. Most sources in the News & Advance attribute declines to increased fuel prices and fewer field trips, but Lynn Beebe, president of Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, says her spot’s increase might be attributed to “growing public interest in ‘conversation’ events featuring historical actors.” More T.J. puppets, Monticello!
Other "This Just In" articles from this week:
Hot topic [January 11]
General Assembly to take on illegal immigration issues
Change is afoot [January 10]
Lucy leaving Planning Commission; Leatherwood bumped upstairs at City Schools
Perriello to Goode: Let’s get it on [January 9]
Albemarle native wraps up Democratic nomination
Kaine proposes smoking ban [January 8]
Cites risks of secondhand smoking
