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Top picks for out-of-town activities Date published: 4/9/2009 By Peggy Carlson April 13 is the 266th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's birth--and the event will be marked with a variety of celebrations next week. The annual observance of Jefferson's birthday will be held Monday, 1-2 p.m. on the West Lawn at Monticello, with music by the U.S. Army's Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, wreath laying and more. The event is free, but admission is required for house tours. Another birthday celebration will be held Monday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in Bedford County at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest. Cake will be served and tours given of the home. The birthday celebration is free, but $2-$10 admission is charged for home tours. Poplar Forest is located at 1548 Bateman Bridge Road, State Route 661, in Forest. For details call 434/525-1806, 434/534-8108 or visit poplarforest.org. The grand opening of the Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center and Smith Education Center at Monticello will be held April 15, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Live music will begin at 10:30 a.m. At 11 a.m. ceremonies will begin, featuring guest speakers: former Secretary of State Warren M. Christopher; Annette Gordon-Reed, winner of a 2008 National Book Award for "The Hemingses of Monticello"; and Michael Beschloss, presidential historian and NBC News commentator. Music will be provided by Williamsburg Field Musick fife and drum corps, Union Run Baptist Church Choir and the Charlottesville Municipal Band. Visitors coming specifically for this event should plan to arrive at Monticello before 10 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., the new center will officially be opened to visitors. The center will offer a new introductory film, "Thomas Jefferson's World," a hands-on discovery room for children, new exhibitions and more. The film, exhibitions and hands-on center will be open free of charge on opening day. Admission tickets will be required for Monticello house tours, which will be conducted from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and from 1 to 5 p.m. on April 15. Reserved tickets for these tours are available online at monti cello.org. Monticello is located at 931 Thomas Jefferson Parkway in Charlottesville. For more information call 434/984-9822 or visit monticel lo.org. --Peggy Carlson
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