Smithfield | dependencies

Eighteenth century plantations like Smithfield were large and nearly self-sufficient agricultural enterprises. Vital support for the plantation’s inhabitants and business activities was provided by numerous outbuildings called "dependencies". To date, we have reconstructed several of these outbuilding – a smokehouse, a weaver’s/cook’s cabin, and a cider press shed. A vast enterprise like Smithfield, however, probably included barns, stables, a springhouse, a blacksmith shop, drying sheds, corn cribs, and other structures to shelter harvesting and processing equipment. It was, after all, the largest such plantation in all of Southwest Virginia.

Weaver’s/Cook’s Cabin
	This cabin was reconstructed from the logs of an 1820s slave cabin previously located at nearby Whitethorne, the home of James Francis Preston. It now stands on the probable location of the Smithfield cook’s residence, though we sometimes interpret it as a weaver ’s cabin as well.

Miller’s Cabin and Mill ruins
Though only the stone foundation of Smithfield’s 1806 mill has survived, those ruins and the Miller’s cabin recall the process that occurred there. An observation deck behind the Miller's cabin provides a view of the mill ruins. Today, the Miller’s cabin, which has been modernized inside, is occupied by a private party and not open to the public.

Miller’s Cabin and Mill ruins

Though only the stone foundation of Smithfield’s 1806 mill has survived, those ruins and the Miller’s cabin recall the process that occurred there. An observation deck behind the Miller's cabin provides a view of the mill ruins.

Today, the Miller’s cabin, which has been modernized inside, is occupied by a private party and not open to the public.

Cider House
	Preston family papers document extensive apple cider production and consumption at Smithfield. Our heirloom orchard, started with the help of a generous grant from the Children of the American Revolution, provides apples for the cider press contained in our cider house.

The Pavilion at Smithfield
Smithfield’s Events Pavilion serves as a venue for summer history camps, hands-on traditional arts classes, social and fraternal gatherings, and also weddings. This structure enables Smithfield to support our community while raising much-needed revenue for the preservation and interpretation of our historic site.

The Preston Cemetery
	A burying ground for six generations of Prestons, the gated cemetery lies a short walk from Smithfield Manor. It contains a possible 64 burials and 28 marked graves, including the “stacked” grave of William and Susanna Preston.

Dependencies