smithfield plantation

SWVA_Traveler

I went with a group of students. It is a informative presentation and very worthwhile. I was surprised about some of the facts I learned regarding the local history. It speaks of a time when western Virginia was on the frontier. I hope this property will be preserved and well-maintained.

Bluebelldays

I wanted to like Smithfield, I really did. But I found admission pretty overpriced and the exhibits not all that interesting. Even the grounds could use a little bit more oomph. Still, happy for the historical preservation going on. I just wouldn't put it on the must-see list.

NurirRohmah_

Located in the heart of Virginia Tech, this historical place is beautiful and unique. There are many stuffs you can enjoy while touring the building. There's also a shop so you can buy something about the museum. The service and the guide was realllyyy good,

292AmandaJ

The tour guide gave a great historical account of events surrounding the house and the artifacts in it. The tour was free! Please note that there is an off season and they're usually closed from January until March.

MargaretB15627

Happened to be there on the last day and was given the tour by the museum administrator Colonel Douglas Anderson. He gave a very informative tour filled full of facts of the family and the history of the plantation. I find it hard to stop talking to people that we meet back home about how great the experience was. I will remember this experience at the plantation for a long time and critic other historical tours by what we experienced here. Great job Doug!

jonathans803

Nice place to spend a few hours and discover an important piece of Virginia's history. Tour is excellent, guides are passionate

FourHs

We took the tour and were the only ones so had excellent attention all of our questions were answered by a knowledgeable gentleman dressed in costume of the times. The stories told were interesting. A must visit if you are in Blacksburg

163marcias

The plantation seemed to be in the middle of Virginia Tech. That made it a little tricky to find, but since it was well marked we found it without too much trouble. The grounds are well kept with informative signs. They have a tour of the house with a guide we were not able to take due to all the steps involved. The gift shop is in the basement. There were some relics from the house and area on display in an adjacent room to the gift shop. The volunteer in the gift shop was very nice. Because we were the only ones there at the time we had a nice with her. You are free to walk the grounds. There are couple buildings on the grounds you can check out to get an idea of what the conditions were like. It was worth the time to visit.

691estherp

Smithfield is a wonderful experience which provides both entertainment and education. The docents are exceptional, the home lovely, the grounds well tended, and the management quiet willing to share their knowledge. We were most impressed with all the volunteers who give so freely of their time. We look forward to our next visit.Esther Kay and Les Preston

clevekat

I had a very pleasant visit to the plantation while my spouse was teaching at nearby Va. Tech. I toured the plantation with a family and enjoyed the experience.The guide was extremely knowledgeable and had a good sense of humor. Allow 1 1/2 - 2 hours, so you can see the outbuildings.Lady in the gift shop gave me a good recommendation for lunch in town.

G00chfamily5

We and our 3 children (ages 13, 8, and 7 visited while vacationing in the area. Could not have been more pleased with the visit. The staff is extremely friendly. The head interpreter, April Danner, is an amazing tour guide! She has grown up in the Blacksburg area, and as an Historian by education, she pours her heart and soul into the Smithfield Plantation. She seems to be willing to spend as much time as required to answer any and all questions. She is great with the kids; quizzing them on various objects throughout the house and answering all their questions. We visited on a Friday and were the only people in her group. Not sure what the weekend tours would be like. Try to visit during the weekdays for an incredible one-on-one experience!

DixieMKJ

After attending Civil War Weekend at Virginia Tech, my friend and I were happy to learn that Smithfield Plantation was open for the season. We visited on a cold, snowy day but the welcome was warm! April Danner, our interpreter, is wonderful. She is very knowledgeable and took lots of time to answer our questions. She told us lots of interesting stories and made us want to learn more about the Preston family. I will certainly return to Smithfield when I return to Blacksburg!

904libbyc

Smithfield Plantation has plenty of history to satisfy anyone with about an hour to spare while in the area. It was the home of several Virginia governors. The home itself has been lovingly and tastefully restored. In the summer, the gardens are beautiful and there are plants growing in the back that used to be part of the plantation when it functioned as such. The docents know their stuff and give a good tour.

481philf

The old home is located within Va Tech's grounds. It is beautiful. They offer guided tours of the home or you can do a self tour. Lots of history, four Virginia governors lived in the house. The grounds are really scenic (not cluttered with businesses or homes. Looking out on the fields remind us of what it must have looked like 200 years ago.

philyoung1400

Smithfield Plantation is truly a remarkable place with great history. It is hard to think that at that time this family had so many plantations and spread over such a wide area and that its members had so much influence on affairs in Va. It is well worth going out your way to to tour it. And if possible try to get a tour of the family cemetery that is in a corner of the property. Make sure to plan time for the museum.