Smithfield, listed on the NRHP in Montgomery County, Virginia
Smithfield is a plantation house built in the 1770s in Blacksburg, Virginia, now operating as a museum. The L-shaped wooden structure sits on expansive grounds and displays the architectural style of prosperous families of that era, featuring details such as a Chinese lattice stair railing.
William Preston built Smithfield in the 1770s and later served as an officer in the American Revolution and member of the House of Burgesses. His descendants, including two governors of Virginia, shaped the state's political history for generations.
The name Smithfield refers to the fertile land where the estate sits. Visitors can see how the property and surrounding landscape shaped the daily life and values of the family who lived here.
The house is accessible as a museum but only open on certain days. Visitors should be respectful when exploring the grounds, as some portions of the property remain private.
The property was transferred to Preservation Virginia in 1959 and later taken over by the Smithfield-Preston Foundation. Today the site emphasizes telling honest stories about slavery and placing the achievements of enslaved African Americans at the center of its historical narrative.
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