2009 Event Calendar
| Saturday,
February 7 at 10:00 am - noon Volunteer Orientation Session. Interpret life on the colonial frontier. Garden in an 18th century demonstration garden. Help plan and implement special events, kid's activities, exhibits, and much more! Enter at the Museum Store. Call 231-3947 or e-mail info@smithfieldplantation.org to sign up or for more information. |
Wednesday,
February 11 at 9:30 am |
| Thursday,
February 19 at 7:30 pm Historic Lecture Series. Local resident and Blacksburg Museum Committee member Charles Johnson will speak about his recollections of the African American communities in and around Blacksburg. Mr. Johnson, a lifelong resident of Blacksburg offers many thought provoking insights into topics such as the integration of public schools and Virginia Tech. In the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers, Blacksburg Municipal Building, 300 South Main Street. The lecture is free and open to the public. Refreshments will follow in the Municipal Building lobby. The Historic Lecture Series is sponsored by the Blacksburg Museum and Historic Smithfield Plantation. |
| Thursday,
March 5 at 7:30 pm Historic Lecture Series. A presentation by Jack Davis, Reynolds Metals Professor and Dean of the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at Virginia Tech. Mr. Davis will present "A Historical Perspective on the Town Planning of Blacksburg", which includes many photographs of buildings that have been demolished during the Town's history. In the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers, Blacksburg Municipal Building, 300 South Main Street. The lecture is free and open to the public. Refreshments will follow in the Municipal Building lobby. The Historic Lecture Series is sponsored by the Blacksburg Museum and Historic Smithfield Plantation. |
| Wednesday,
March 11 at 9:30 am Smithfield Guild Meeting. Professor Bruce Parker will talk about Mountain Lake and the phenomenon of the vanishing lake. Light refreshments will be served before the meeting. Bring a friend! |
| Saturday,
March 21 from 1:30pm - 3:00pm Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop. This class will meet in Historic Smithfield Heirloom Orchard and Gardens. It will be led by Barry Robinson, Montgomery County Horticulture Extension Agent, and Don Bixby, Historic Smithfield Garden Coordinator. The emphasis will be on proper pruning of apple and pear trees in the Smithfield Orchard, but other topics to be covered include: variety selection, planting, mulching, maintenance and pest management. Also covered will be the pruning and care of grapevines, raspberries and currant bushes. Equipment will be reviewed (you may bring your own for evaluation). Preregistration is required with a fee of $15.00 to support the historic agriculture program at Smithfield. |
| Saturday,
March 28 from 9:30am to 12:30pm Inside/Outside Work Day. Help prepare the house and grounds for Opening Day. Bring paper towels, step stool, or anything you think might be useful for clean up. |
| Tuesday,
March 31, 7:00am - 8:45pm Spring Guild Trip. The itinerary includes the Virginia Historical Society Museum in Richmond with a special behind the scenes tour of the archives, a tour of the recently restored Executive Mansion plus a chat with the First Lady of Virginia, and a visit to one of Virginia’s newest award-winning vineyards--Barren Ridge Vineyards, for a wine tasting. Cost is $50 (includes bus fare, cost of “gourmet” box lunch and museum admission). Make reservations for yourself, friends and family early! The bus from Sunshine Tours holds only 52 people (so passengers will have extra leg room). Itinerary and reservation form here. |
| Saturday,
April 4 from 10:00am-5:00pm Opening Day. Join us as we celebrate the re-opening of Smithfield this spring with re-enactments and demonstrations of life in the 18th century, walk–through tours guided by costumed interpreters, and the Smithfield Museum Store. Admission will be $1 at the gate and includes a tour of the house. |
| Wednesday,
April 8 at 9:30 am Smithfield Guild Meeting. The Reverend Jimmie Price will share some of his vast knowledge about the area - both entertaining and educational. Light refreshments will be served before the meeting. Bring a friend! |
| Saturday,
May 9 from 9:00am-5:00pm Heirloom Plant Sale. Learn about colonial plant materials that were indigenous to the area, and purchase heirloom plants for your own garden. Old favorites, bursting with color, texture and interesting form, are very appropriate for today’s gardeners, who want a touch of history for their home gardens. Crow's Nest Greenhouses of Prices Fork, owner Jay Smith, is providing true heirloom plants. The Smithfield Gardeners are also supplying several varieties of plants from the Historic Smithfield garden. Knowledgeable volunteers from the Smithfield garden will be on hand for assistance and to answer questions. Browse botanical themed gifts in the Smithfield Museum Store. The house will be open for tours at regular admission prices. |
| Wednesday,
May 13 at 9:30 am Smithfield Guild Meeting. Piecing Together History, the Quilts of Virginia and Smithfield." Light refreshments will be served before the meeting. Bring a friend! |
| Saturday,
May 30, 10:00am to 3:00pm Basket Making 501. Come learn this timeless art and create a beautiful and unique basket for your home or as a gift. Terry Nicholson has carried on the tradition of basket making from his mother and has been teaching the art for over 5 years. Participants will be making a Nantucket Style basket with wood bottom and top (supplied). Manageable for beginners with challenge enough for those with experience. These baskets retail for over $100. Class fee of $70 includes supplies and complete instruction for one basket. It is suggested that class participants pack a light lunch, and bring a pair of scissors. Class size is limited- Call 540.231.3947 today to sign up! Click here to see a photograph of the completed basket. |
| Sunday,
June 7, from 1:00-5:00pm Strawberry Social and Fashion Show. A new event for this year! We will be partnering with Ponnie from Ponnie’s Boutique to model modern as well as vintage fashions. There will be refreshments (strawberry-themed) and a silent auction featuring work from local artists. Admission is $15. Click here for a flier. |
| Saturday,
June 27, 2:30pm Historic Lecture Series. Blacksburg Cemetery Tour led by April Danner; with information provided by the Gatekeepers, a group recording the history of cemeteries in Montgomery County. The tour is free and open to the public. The Historic Lecture Series is sponsored by the Blacksburg Museum and Historic Smithfield Plantation. Meet at Smithfield Plantation to begin the tour at the Preston Cemetery. Other stops are: St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Merrimac Road; Kentland cemeteries; and the Harless Cemetery in Long Shop (near Kentland). Wear walking shoes. Please call 231-3947 for more details. |
| June 18-30 Juneteenth Exhibit. Includes artwork, information about research into African American life at Historic Smithfield Planation, information about the Juneteenth celebration, and a recitation of poems and the names of the enslaved people who worked and lived at Smithfield Plantation. |
| Saturday,
July 4, 10:00am to 2:00pm Fourth of July Celebration. Celebrate where Revolutionary War patriots trod. Bring a picnic, family and friends to the grounds of Historic Smithfield Plantation, the circa 1774 home of Revolutionary War Colonel William Preston and his wife Susanna. Music, dancing, Revolutionary re-enactments, children's crafts and games, walks through the magnificent plantation home will be featured. Log Cabin Bar-B-Q will be available from 11:00am to 2:00pm. |
| Wednesday,
July 8, 3:30 to 5:00pm Boxwood Propagation Class. Have you ever wished that you had boxwood in your garden, especially the historic shrubs that add elegance and beauty to the Smithfield garden? Now is your chance to start a few plants of your own from cuttings from the Smithfield boxwood. The $10.00 fee includes all supplies and instructions for 2 boxwood starts. If you wish to start more plants, the fee is $3.00 per plant, but you must register in advance for additional cuttings. |
July 20-24
and July 27-31, 9am to noon |
| Saturday,
July 25, 1:00 - 3:00pm Hand Spinning Class. Taught by Mary Orr. Class fee $35. Preregistration required. Class participants will learn to spin a basic yarn on a hand spindle. Skills learned will include assessment of fiber type and preparation, drafting fiber, controlling the hand spindle, winding off and plying of the yarn. If time permits, students may try out spinning on a Saxony spinning wheel. We will also discuss selection of fiber and preparation, finishing of yarns and uses for handspun yarns. Suitable fiber and simple hand spindles will be provided. |
| Saturday,
August 1 from 9am - 5pm and Sunday, August 2 from
1-4pm Shaker Box Workshop. Taught by Don George. Class fee is $125. Preregistration is required. A one-and ½ day workshop showing the making of a shaker style box. Over a day and a half, participants will be learning the Shaker design aesthetic as they create a set of three or more oval Shaker boxes. Don’s approach to making shaker boxes offer an excellent introduction to hand and power tools for beginners, as well as a satisfying experience in the shop for more experienced woodworkers. Finishing techniques will also be presented. Class fee includes supplies and complete instruction for 3 oval boxes or trays. It is suggested that class participants pack a light lunch for Saturday. |
| Saturday,
August 15, 1:30 - 3:30pm English Paper Piece Quilting Class. Taught by Kathy Gabrasch. Class fee is $25. Class size limited to 10. Preregistration is required. The class will teach basics of hand sewing and paper piecing. We will make a quilt block called Grandmother’s Flower Garden. English Paper Piecing is a technique two centuries old but is still in use today. It is an easy and portable project. The only things you need are fabric, thread, scissor, needle and paper, which will be supplied for the class. Please bring small scissor. |
Saturday,
August 22, 2-6pm |
| Saturday,
August 29, 10am-3pm American Red Cross Doggie Day. Come have fun with your 4-legged friends and learn about pet CPR and more! Admission is $3. Dogs and children under 5 are free. |
| Monday,
September 1, 5:00 - 7:30pm, at Beadsburg Jewelry Making Class. Taught by Jennifer Redifer at Beadsburg, 2605 Ramble Road, Blacksburg. Class fee is $10 + cost of beads for your own design. Preregistration is required. Jennifer Redifer has owned Beadsburg, a bead and jewelry making shop, since 2007. Class participants will be given instruction on how to make their own piece of jewelry from the large selection of items at Beadsburg, for a unique piece of jewelry. |
| Thursday,
September 17, 6:30pm Historic Lecture Series. A visit to the Mary Drapers Ingles property in Radford to learn more about early life in the area. The tour is free and open to the public. The Historic Lecture Series is sponsored by the Blacksburg Museum and Historic Smithfield Plantation. |
| Wednesday,
September 23, 1:30pm - 3:30pm Braided Rug Making Class. Taught by Kathy Gabrasch. Class fee $25. Class size limited to 10. Kathy Gabrasch has been sewing and crafting projects for over 10 years. She will instruct class participants in the making of a braided rug from strips of fabric. Fabric will be supplied or bring your own fabric cut into strips 1 ¼ ” wide for creation of a rug in your favorite color to begin a simple throw rug. Handwork and some needlework will be required. |
| Saturday,
October 3, 10:00am-5:00pm and Sunday, October 4, 1:00-5:00pm Apple Festival. Celebrate the fledgling orchard consisting of several heirloom varieties included in Col. William Preston’s inventory. To help the community usher in autumn and the harvest season, Smithfield will have several crafts and food vendors about the lawn, many with apple themes. Historical demonstrators ranging from colonial to the civil war era will also provide fun interaction between our guests and the history of this region. Demonstrations of apple butter making will occur over the weekend and the end product will be on sale. Saturday features a craft beer garden with three local micro-breweries on hand to talk about their brews. Enjoy bluegrass and old time music throughout the afternoon as you check out heirloom livestock and poultry. Carriage rides to the cemetery will end with a cemetery tour of the Preston graveyard. Come one come all! Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. |
| Tuesday,
October 6, 5:00 - 8:00pm Basketmaking 502. Taught by Terry Nicholson. Class fee is $45. Preregistration is required. Bring a pair of scissors. Come learn this timeless art and create a beautiful and unique basket for your home or as a gift. Terry Nicholson has carried on the tradition of basket making from his mother and has been teaching the art for over 5 years. Participants will be making a round Pie Basket. The basket is 12” with a wooden base and handle and can carry a pie plate. Class fee includes supplies and complete instruction for one basket. It is suggested that class participants pack a light dinner. |
| Thursday,
October 8, 7:30pm, Blacksburg Town Council Chambers Historic Lecture Series. J. Dean Norton, Director of Horticulture at Historic Mount Vernon, on the subject “The Research and Restoration of George Washington’s Garden and Grounds”. In the late 18th century landscape styles were changing from the formal to the naturalist. In 1785 George Washington transformed his landscape and gardens to reflect this new landscape movement. He planted trees for shade, beauty and those that bloomed he called “clever.” Washington’s transitional landscape has stood the test of time being enjoyed by those visitors in the 18th century and admired by guests today. Norton’s presentation is not a history lesson, but an informative yet entertaining look at the landscape and gardening world of George Washington, its use and importance. Join long time and award winning Director of Horticulture J. Dean Norton as he tells the wonderful story of a great man’s efforts in creating an exceptional country seat. Reception to follow. The Historic Lecture Series is sponsored by the Blacksburg Museum and Historic Smithfield Plantation. This lecture is also co-sponsored by Hahn Horticulture Garden at Virginia Tech and the New River Valley Master Gardeners Association. |
| Saturday,
October 17, 11:00am - 1:00pm Candle Making Class. Class fee is $35. Preregistration is required. Bring lunch or a snack! This class will be held on the Smithfield lawn so dress accordingly for the weather! Come learn the history and art of beeswax candle making as well as some of its other historic uses. Class participants will be introduced to the varied uses of beeswax, then create hand-dipped candles to take home. Visit www.birdsongStore.com to see a sampling of products made by our instructor, Deano, co- owner of Birdsong Naturals with his wife, Patty. |
| Saturday,
November 14 Holiday Greenery Sale. Support Historic Smithfield Plantation while decorating your home for the holidays! Order poinsettias, garlands, and wreaths from Smithfield through November 14 for pick up at Smithfield on December 1st and 2nd from 12-5pm. For more information contact Marsha Bowen at 540.639.0650. |
Thursday,
December 3 - Sunday, December 6, 1:00-5:00pm Entertainment Schedule:
Historic Smithfield will close for the season until April 1, 2010 after the Holidays event is over. |
| Saturday,
December 12, 11:00am to 2:00pm Gingerbread House Making Class. Taught by Erna Kubin. Class fee $35. Preregistration is required. Create magic with gingerbread for display on your Holiday table or for fun with the kids! (Children must be accompanied by parents) Class participants will be assembling gingerbread creations using their creativity and imagination to make a one-of-a kind Holiday treasure. Class fee includes complete instruction on making gingerbread house items, house parts, and all items needed for decorating. |
Saturday,
December 12 from 10am to 1pm |
1000 Smithfield Plantation Road
Blacksburg, Virginia 24060
