Eighteenth century house Smithfield in Blacksburg
In a press release this week, Smithfield-Preston Foundation announced that the Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution, the DAR, named Historic Smithfield its newest “Virginia DAR Shrine”.
The Virginia DAR Shrine program promotes and fosters long-term support for specific historic properties in Virginia. There are four other Virginia DAR Shrines, the announcement said: Kenmore in Fredericksburg, Stratford Hall in Montross, Woodlawn in Alexandria, and the Yorktown Custom House in Yorktown.
Historic Smithfield is the first shrine named by the Virginia DAR in many decades. The designation was bestowed by the Virginia DAR Executive Committee as Historic Smithfield speaks so clearly to the purpose of the DAR organization, according to the release.
Smithfield is the historic home of William and Susanna Smith Preston. The home is a direct link to a time before this country was founded. Completed in 1774, Smithfield is the finest example of pre-Revolutionary construction west of the Blue Ridge Mountains according to the announcement.
This original structure, along with gardens and outbuildings such as the working forge and “Cook’s Cabin” provide an accurate glimpse into life on the Virginia frontier at the time of the American Revolution.
The covered pavilion is a centerpiece of events at Smithfield throughout the year. Independently owned and operated by the Smithfield-Preston Foundation, Smithfield today is surrounded by the Virginia Tech campus.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism, all of which are represented at Historic Smithfield the release said.
DAR members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War.
With more than 185,000 members and approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations.
“As a Virginia DAR Shrine, Smithfield represents the three basic tenants of the DAR organization,” Diane Catley, DAR State Chairman for the Historic Smithfield Shrine said. “DAR has supported this treasure for many years, with this new designation, there will be a renewed commitment to expand the patronage of this pre-Revolutionary home site. I am thrilled Virginia DAR welcomed Historic Smithfield as the fifth shrine.”
“We are honored that the Virginia DAR recognized Historic Smithfield by designating it as a Virginia DAR Shrine. Many wonderful members of DAR have worked to make this recognition possible and we are grateful,” William G. Foster, Jr., chairman of the board of the Smithfield-Preston Foundation said.
For more information contact Kenna Jewell at 540 231-3947, or kjewell@historicsmithfield.org or Diane Catley at dwcatley@gmail.com
