Smithfield, listed on the NRHP in Montgomery County, Virginia
Smithfield is a plantation house from the 1770s in Blacksburg, Virginia, now open to the public as a museum. The building has an L-shaped wooden structure and sits on grounds that still retain much of their original layout.
William Preston had the house built in the 1770s and served as both a military officer during the American Revolution and a member of the House of Burgesses. The estate stayed in his family for generations, with descendants who became governors of Virginia.
The name Smithfield refers to the fertile land on which the estate was built. Inside the house, a Chinese lattice stair railing stands out as a decorative detail that reflects the tastes of prosperous Virginia families in the late 18th century.
The house operates as a museum with limited opening days, so checking ahead before visiting is a good idea. Some parts of the property remain private, so visitors should stay on the areas open to the public.
Since the Smithfield-Preston Foundation took over management of the site, the stories of enslaved African Americans who lived and worked here have been placed at the center of what the museum tells. This approach sets the site apart from many other plantation museums that focus mainly on the owners.
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