Historic Smithfield tells the story of American history in a way that no other site can. It sits at the intersection of Colonial America, westward expansion, African slavery, and conflicts between indigenous peoples and European settlers.
Smithfield connects George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, the American Revolution, secession, emancipation, and the Civil War. It is the birthplace of universities, including Virginia Tech. It represents the hope, promise, and tragedy of American democracy and provides a unique opportunity to gain perspective from the past, insight for the present, and inspiration for the future.
Mission Statement
“Historic Smithfield seeks to inspire a new generation of Americans through the stories and values of the Preston Family and all those who lived at Smithfield. These values are liberty, courage, leadership, education, and justice.”
Statement on Racism, Slavery, and Discrimination
"The Smithfield-Preston Foundation acknowledges and laments the role slavery played in William Preston's Smithfield and the ongoing racial injustice that stemmed from that institution across the United States. Enslaved African Americans and their achievements in the face of slavery’s oppression belong at the center of the Smithfield story. We pledge to redouble our efforts to tell these stories as we strive to foster a more honest reckoning with our racial history. The Foundation, along with all those associated with Smithfield, decries all forms of racism and intolerance, and fully supports the rights of all humans regardless of race, skin color, creed, gender, orientation, or ability. All human life is precious. We stand in unity with those who preserve the rights of all people."
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