Virtual tours of Jefferson's Poplar Forest offered

FOREST, Va. (AP) — You don't have to leave your home to take a tour of Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest.

Virtual tours are now available using Google Street View technology. Armchair visitors can virtually walk through the house and see the same view from the portico that Jefferson saw.

Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest president and CEO Jeffrey L. Nichols says in a news release that the virtual tour will help raise awareness of Poplar Forest and its importance to Jefferson and his family.

The Virginia Foundation for the Humanities plans to photograph 39 other historic sites for Google Street View in anticipation of the foundation's 40th anniversary next year.

Foundation director of digital initiatives Matthew Gibson says the technology will help raise the profile of lesser known historic places and make them more accessible.