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town in Virginia
North America > United States of America > South (United States of America) > Virginia > Eastern Virginia > Hampton Roads > Smithfield (Virginia)

Smithfield is a historic town in Virginia, northwest to Carrollton. It is home to a bed and breakfast visited by George Washington. It is also the place where Virginia hams originated.

Understand

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History

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Smithfield was, from its very beginning, a "river town". It's named for the Smith family, who founded Smithfield. Its whole life and growth has been defined by the river. The Warraskoyack tribe were the first known inhabitants. The first European settler to own land in Isle of Wight County was Arthur Smith. On September 10, 1637, he patented 1,450 acres, described as “a neck of land running southeast along a creek behind the Pagan Shore.” Today a portion of this same land and manor house (dubbed “Windsor Castle” and built by Smith’s descendants) are part of Windsor Castle Park. Settled primarily by British merchants and ships' captains, Smithfield thrived for more than 20 years as a river port town and a British colony before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was Arthur Smith IV, who, in 1750, had the land surveyed and laid out as a town. Smithfield derives its name from this Smith family, not from John Smith of Jamestown fame. Within two years after the town was established, and before the Revolutionary War, all of the lots were sold. Each lot sold for four pounds, six shillings. Today the town boasts fifteen houses that are authentically 18th century, ten of which pre-date the Revolutionary War. In the early 19th century, a number of excellent Federal period homes were built, but it was after the Civil War, in about 1876, that the big building boom began. It was in this era of steamboats and the flourishing peanut industry in Smithfield that many of the elaborate Victorian homes were erected. Their ostentatious elegance of turrets, towers, stained glass windows and steamboat Gothic trimmings is easily evident.

Visitor information

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Get in

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Map
Map of Smithfield (Virginia)

By car

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Smithfield has 3 highways that run through it

  • U.S Route 258, If you are coming from North Carolina, Taking 258 is most likely a better choice because it is generally less crowded as the most major city in the area is still up ahead.
  • Virginia State Route 10, If you are coming from Central Virginia, State Route 10 is likely your best bet, particularly if you are headed away from a big city.
  • Virginia State Route 32, Route 32 is most likely not a viable option to take for most travelers, at least not for the entire way here due to the fact that Virginia Route 32 only exists, in Suffolk, Smithfield, Carrollton, and Newport News and only being 38.89 miles. If you are coming from one of those cities State Route 32 may be your best bet due to it being the least crowded of the 3 highways most of the time.

By plane

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While Smithfield doesn't have its own airport, Smithfield is mainly served by Norfolk International Airport, and to a lesser extent, the Newport News Williamsburg International Airport.

By train

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While Smithfield doesn't have its own train station, Smithfield is served by Newport News Station, Norfolk Station, and Williamsburg Transportation Center

By bus

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Smithfield is served by 3 buses per day (M-F only) from/to Newport News, on Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) Route 964.

Get around

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Unless you are in the Smithfield Historical District, Smithfield is not very walkable, and you will need a car.

  • 1 Isle of Wight County Museum. Local history museum. They have a ham which was made in 1902, which is claimed to be the oldest in the world. Isle of Wight County Museum (Q19876486) on Wikidata Isle of Wight County Museum on Wikipedia (updated Aug 2021)
  • 2 Schoolhouse Museum, 516 Main St. M, F, Sa noon - 4PM. A recreated single room schoolhouse. The building was built in 1932 as an extension to the Christian Home School, and was moved to its present site in 2005. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 3 Old Isle of Wight Courthouse. Daily 1PM-4PM, opens 10AM on Sa, 11AM on F.. Built in 1750-51, the courthouse is now owned by Historic Smithfield who make it available for occasional events. Tours are available most afternoons. Old Isle of Wight Courthouse (Q7084281) on Wikidata Old Isle of Wight Courthouse on Wikipedia (updated Feb 2024)
  • 1 Windsor Castle Park, 301 Jericho Rd, ☏ +1 757 365-4200. Originally a plantation established in 1637, when the king (of England) granted 1,450 acres (590 hectares) to Arthur Smith. In 2009 the town purchased the land and formed a park.The brick stucco manor house can be seen on a walking tour on the first Su of the month. The park has walking and bike trails, a fishing pier, kayak rental and a picnic and barbeque area. Windsor Castle (Q8024576) on Wikidata Windsor Castle (Smithfield, Virginia) on Wikipedia (updated Feb 2024)
  • 1 Art Center @ 319, 319 Main Street (Co-Located with the Smithfield Visitor Center), ☏ +1 757 357 7707. The Arts Center @ 319 exhibits the works of local and regional artists in multiple shows throughout the year. The Arts Center also hosts working studios for eight resident artists, a gift shop that features creations by its member artists and an arts classroom. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the resident artists as new works are being created. (updated Jan 2024)

A local specialty is Smithfield ham.

Drink

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  • 1 Blue Sky Distillery, 17466 Benns Church Blvd, ☏ +1 757 255 8827. F-Sa:noon-4PM. Distills whiskey, gin, rum and vodka. The tasting room is closed as of Feb 2024. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 2 Wharf Hill Brewing Company, 25 Main Street, ☏ +1 757-357-7100. Brew pub with dining room. Usually has five of their own beers on tap, along with some guests. (updated Feb 2024)

Sleep

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  • 1 Smithfield Inn B&B, ☏ +1 757-357-1752. Former tavern (1759) and residence with brick fireplaces and low ceilings. George Washington visited this hotel. $155. (updated Aug 2018)
  • 2 Smithfield Station, 415 South Church Street, ☏ +1 757-357-7700. Upscale riverside resort with a rustic-chic eatery, free continental breakfast, a pool & a marina. (updated Aug 2018)

Go next

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Routes through Smithfield
Newport News ← Carrollton ←  N  S  → Scotland Neck → Tarboro
Newport News ← Carrollton ←  N  S  → Richmond → END
Newport News ← Carrollton ←  N  S  → Suffolk → END


This city travel guide to Smithfield is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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