About

Step back in time and experience life on Virginia’s colonial frontier at Historic Smithfield’s 2026 season opener! Our "Frontier Spring in 1776" celebration invites the community to explore the daily life, work, and crafts of families living in Southwest Virginia during the Revolutionary era.

Event Highlights:
Live Music:
-11:00 AM: Performance by Montgomery Junior Appalachian Musicians

-12:00 PM: Living history presentation with William Preston (Michael Hudson) in conversation with Thomas Jefferson (Bryan Austin)

-1:00 PM: Foot-stomping bluegrass by New Standard

Living History & Demonstrations:
-Hands-on crafts inspired by 1776 frontier life: candle dipping, seed planting, church dolls, and simple textile projects
-Blacksmith demonstrations showing traditional tool-making techniques
-Militia demonstrations illustrating colonial military drills and frontier defense
-Hand-made shingles demonstrations by the Matthews Living History Farm

Experience History Firsthand
Explore the seasonal work of colonial families-planting gardens, preparing food, repairing tools, and producing household goods-through engaging activities designed for visitors of all ages.