SMITHFIELD PLANTATION Chaudhary B. R. Ke S.O. Pugliese M.B ...€¦ · 8/10/2015 · (Town of...

SMITHFIELD PLANTATION

SMITHFIELD PLANTATION

Chaudhary B. R.

Ke S.O.

Pugliese M.B.

Talani S. P. N.

Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute

August 2015

SMITHFIELD PLANTATION 1

Introduction

The 18th century was a century of great change in the United States. Major conflicts

resulted in the revolutionary war between 1775 and 1783 (US History/American Revolution,

2015). In the southern part of the colonies, Maryland, Virginia and Carolina were ideal for

agriculture and these areas grew staple crops of tobacco, rice and indigo (American History,

2015). Agriculture played an important role for the economy of the American colonies. Tobacco,

rice, indigo, grain, and livestock were the cash crops for export during the colonial era (Ching,

2009) and (Growing a Nation, 2015). These crops were often grown on small or large family

farms. Larger farms were often called plantations.

The Smithfield Plantation in Blacksburg was one of the plantations that was built in the

18th century (1774). It began as an agricultural production place in the colonial era. In order to

understand Smithfield Plantation more deeply, this research project was designed to study this

historical site. The objectives of this study focused on several areas: history, culture and

contributions of agriculture to colonial economic development in the past history of the United

States. Consequently, this study began with the history of Smithfield Plantation and its role in the

18th century. Then we studied the restoration, community involvement and the role of Smithfield

Plantation in the present day.

Methodology

To understand the history, culture and agriculture in the 18th century in addition to the

restoration, role and community involvement of Smithfield Plantation in the present day, we

responded to the objectives of this study in several ways. We gathered information by reviewing


the existing documents, journal articles and other Internet based sources which are related to

Smithfield Plantation. We interviewed the staff of Smithfield Plantation, as well as local

Blacksburg residents.

The interviews were done with 54 people from the community of Blacksburg and visitors

of Smithfield Plantation by using random sampling. One interview was conducted with the

administrator of Smithfield Plantation. The data from interviews was analyzed using simple

statistics with Microsoft Excel (percentage, average and frequency). The analysis was interpreted

based on the data for this study.

Smithfield Plantation in the 18th Century

Before we discuss Smithfield Plantation, we would like to discuss an important person,

Colonel William Preston. He was a land surveyor in the colonial time and held this occupation as

his life’s work (Glanville, 2013). He was born into an Irish family in 1729 and immigrated to

America with his family when he was 8 years old. When Preston was 18, his father passed away

and Preston left his studies by joining his uncle as a surveyor. According to Glanville (2013), in

1752, he became a deputy land surveyor in Virginia. Based on the Preservation Virginia website,

after marrying with Susannah Smith in 1760, William Preston and his wife moved to live in

Greenfield near Fincastle, where he became a county of Fincastle land surveyor in 1772. In 1774,

he moved to Smithfield. This place was named in honor of his wife Susannah Smith

(Preservation Virginia, 2015). In 1777, he became a Montgomery land surveyor and he worked

in this position until he died in 1783.


The United States was a colony of Great Britain in the 18th century. In the southern parts

of the United States, agriculture played a dominant role in economic development (Growing a

Nation, 2015).Virginia was one of the southern states which was a colony of Great Britain, and it

was an agriculture-based colonial region in the 18th century. In this region, the colonists had

introduced tobacco which became the main cash crop for export during this colonial era

(Virginia Main Street Communities, 2015). In the 17th century, agriculture had been mostly

subsistence farming. Farmers grew their crops in places near water sources. Then, the flow of

immigrants from other parts of the colonial countries, including Ireland, France, and other

countries in Europe in the 18th century into the United States made this colonial country rapidly

change. The overwhelming population in rural areas led to geographic expansion. The lives of

most people depended on farming (Lemon, 1990).

Virginia was known as a region of wealthy businesspeople, who concentrated on the

export crops (Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, 2015). Therefore, farmers grew various crops

intended for export. The major cash crops exported to other countries in the 18th century were

tobacco, rice, indigo, grain, meat products, (Ching, 2009), and (Shmoop University, 2015). Later

cotton became the largest export of cash crop (Growing a Nation, 2015).

Livestock was also an important form of production. The majority of livestock was

imported from other countries, especially from Europe. Based on “The Growing a Nation”, in

1793, Merino was the first species of sheep imported into the United States. Merino sheep were

produced as a sheep industry in 1795-1815.


Slavery was significantly correlated with agriculture in the colonial era. In American

agrarian history, slaves played a very important role as farming labor. Slaves were first

transported to America around 1739 (Children in History, 2015). They were sold to the owners

of plantations or farms, especially in the south. They stayed with the plantation owners and

worked there without payment. The slave trade increased from about 36,000 a year during the

early 18th century to almost 80,000 a year during the 1780s (Mintz, 2015). During that time,

slavery made up to 40% of the population of Virginia (Ching, 2009 p 11). Consequently, slaves

were necessary capital for both investment and products (Wright, 2003). Slavery contributed

significantly to the colonial economic growth because it served both the capital and the

production sides of the colonial economy.

In the 18th century, the area we now call Blacksburg was being developed. William

Preston purchased some plots of land in this region for his residential home and plantation.

European migrants settled in this area because of the rich fertile land and plentiful water sources

(Town of Blacksburg, Virginia, 2015). One of the areas of land surveyed was Draper’s Meadow

and would later be called Blacksburg. William Preston purchased some plots of land in this area

for building his residential home and plantation, which is known as Smithfield Plantation

nowadays.

In Smithfield Plantation, various crops were grown. Unlike most of Virginia, Smithfield

Plantation didn’t grow tobacco. Instead the crops served for human and livestock food, for

medicine and for textiles. Some kinds of plants remaining until the present day represent crops

grown in the 18th century. For example, heirloom plants were used for a variety of purposes

including food for humans and livestock, culinary and medicinal plants, pest deterrents, dye


plants, and plants used in textile production. Other crops for human food, such as apples, pears,

plums and cherries, were grown in Smithfield Plantation in the 18th century (Smithfield

Plantation, 2015).

In the 18th century, Smithfield had many roles. First, it was the house of William Preston

and his family. Smithfield was also a place of frontier trade, and a center of land surveying

during the colonial era. Agriculture played an important role in the colonial era. Virginia was

known as a great area of planters because the soil was rich and fertile and all Virginia had

potential for agricultural plantation. As a land speculator, William Preston could find the best

land for his residential area and plantation. In the mission of land survey near what is now

Blacksburg, Preston found potential and he bought land for plantation with the promise of

making it a “productive and profitable plantation” (Smithfield Plantation, 2015). Based on the

study of the Smithfield garden, there were various crops grown in the 18th century. This study

also proved that Smithfield Plantation was an agricultural production place (Smithfield

Plantation, 2015).

The other evidence which proved that Smithfield Plantation was an agricultural

production site is the presence of slaves. This was common as agriculture was not possible

without slaves in the history of the United States in 18th century. Consequently, William Preston

kept a group of slaves who he bought from the slave masters to work in his plantation

(Appalachian Voices, 2015). In a note cited in Glanville (2013) after William Preston died, there

were 42 slaves whom he kept for labor in his plantation. There were 20,513 acres of land that

William Preston had in Smithfield Plantation. This evidence proves that Smithfield Plantation

was the frontier trade in both farm and non-farm products.


Besides agriculture, Smithfield Plantation also played a role as a center of land survey

business during the colonial land grab time. As was highlighted in Glanville’s article, William

Preston started illegally surveying land before he got a license in 1752. Likewise, there are many

existing tools at Smithfield and recorded documents of land survey. This provides evidence that

Smithfield Plantation was a land survey center for certifying land holding title in Montgomery

County in the 18th century (Glanville, 2013).

Smithfield Plantation after 18th century

In 1959, Smithfield Plantation was presented to the Association for the Preservation of

Virginia Antiquities (APVA) by Preston’s great-great-granddaughter to be preserved and

restored as a historic monument (Preservation Virginia, 2015). Smithfield was opened to the

public for first time in 1964. Currently, this cultural site is owned by the Smithfield-Preston

Foundation, a local non-profit organization.

The purpose of restoring Smithfield Plantation was to preserve the cultural heritage of

museum, gardens, and grounds so that they would be available for tours, special events, and

education outreach. For the process of the Smithfield Plantation restoration, the APVA took a

painstaking role in leading the restoration. The community helped match funds, and many

professors and craftsmen helped with the project. Based on Smithfield Plantation administrator,

the restoration of Smithfield Plantation took from 1959-1964 with continued maintenance until

today (Smithfield Plantation administrator, 2015).


Findings

Demographic information

The demographic information gained from the interviewees for this study was divided

into three parts: gender, age range and occupation. A total of 54 people in Blacksburg were

interviewed for this study. Among the 54 interviewees, 54% were male and 46% were female

(Figure 1).

Figure 1: Percentage of gender information: n=54. Blacksburg, VA, 2015.

37 % of the people were more than 50 years old, 31 % were between 18-25 years, and

17% were between the ages of 26-35. Similarly, in the age range of 36-50, 11%; and the smallest

group was <18, or 4% (Figure 2.). Furthermore, the information from Smithfield Plantation

demonstrated that students and retired people are the frequent visitors (Smithfield Plantation

Administrator, 2015).


Figure 2: Percentage of age range information: n=54. Blacksburg, VA, 2015.

The informants of this study hold various occupations. They were students and staff of

Virginia Tech, professors, a librarian of Virginia Tech, a freelance writer and a banker. Among

all informants, 37% were students and 63% were not in the student category (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Percentage of occupation: n=54. Blacksburg, VA, 2015.


Among the 54 people who were interviewed, 24 % did not know about Smithfield

Plantation. Most of these were students of Virginia Tech and some were people living in

Blacksburg (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Percentage of informants who know Smithfield Plantation: n=54. Blacksburg, VA, 2015.

Based on the Smithfield Plantation administrator information, there are approximately

8,000 visitors to Smithfield Plantation every year. Among the total visitors, 4,500 are on regular

tours, 2,000 of them come for special events and 1,000 of them are the school tours. Visitors

come from various parts of the world. Those from the United States, England, Scotland, Ireland,

Germany and China are the largest segment of visitors (Smithfield Plantation administrator,

2015).


Importance of Smithfield Plantation

Smithfield Plantation is very important for the Blacksburg community. It is the historical

and architectural resource center for scholars, students, and also, the community of Blacksburg.

From this historical site, they can learn about the entire community’s history, not just the history

of the Preston family.

According to the data from survey, 80% of people visit the Smithfield Plantation. Among

people who responded that they visited Smithfield Plantation, 45% went there to learn about

history, 31% went there to tour, 24% of them went there for social events, and 19% went there

for other purposes, such as weddings, festivals and natural and environmental events. For the

20% who have never visited Smithfield Plantation; however, most of them plan to visit there

(Figure 5).

In addition, Smithfield Plantation also offers classes, lectures, workshops, van trips,

special events, cemetery tours, and venues for other group functions.

Figure 5: Purpose of visiting Smithfield Plantation. n=42. Blacksburg, VA. 2015.


The Smithfield Plantation site is a kind of 18th century “eye-witness”. The house

contains many objects related to this century. For example, the collection has cooking tools,

forged work materials, and bedding or sewing materials. Visitors can learn about and visualize

them. The tour helps them to remember how people lived in the 18th century.

Additionally, for African Americans who want to study about slavery or Blacksburg,

Smithfield Plantation is really a part of history and heritage. A woman who was interviewed in

Smithfield Plantation mentioned that she had never seen an actual slave cabin before and she saw

it "in the flesh", so to speak, at Smithfield Plantation. For this young woman in search of her

roots and history, the moments she spent in the slave cabin are inexpressible (Survey, 2015).

Besides history learning, there are other reasons people visit Smithfield Plantation. 45%

toured Smithfield Plantation out of curiosity. This feeling is often linked to the desire to discover

or learn about the history of the United States.

24% of the informants also visited Smithfield Plantation for recreation. In addition,

Christmas and Halloween are among the events that give them the opportunity to have a walk

there. There is a beautiful garden around which people can relax and enjoy a sunny day with

friends or family.

Functions of Smithfield Plantation

The Smithfield Plantation administrator described various events carried out by the

Smithfield Plantation every year. Those events are categorized as social events, cultural events,

historical site and other. For social events, there are weddings, sorority groups, family reunions,


and corporate retreats, demonstration in the forge of weaver’s cabin, adventure camps and

Sunday drives. For the cultural events, there are films, concert, and other local festivals. For the

historical place, Smithfield Plantation is open publicly and provides guided tours for both local

and international tour services. For the other category, there are the lectures series in cooperation

with the Alexander Black House, workshops, classes, and patriot meetings for the membership.

There are also the special events, such as Opening Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Flag Day,

Juneteenth, Independence Day, Spirit Trail, Candlelight Tours and the Holidays, (Table 1) and

(Appendix 1).

Table 1: Annual events provided by Smithfield Plantation

No Events Number (per year)

1 Van trips 6

2 Special events (Opening Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Juneteenth,

Independence Day, Spirit Trail, Candlelight Tours and the Holidays) 8

3 Rental services (Weddings, Sorority Groups, Family Reunions, and Corporate

Retreats)

12

4 Sunday camp (in July) 1/week

5 Music 4

6 Matinee movies 5

7 Patriot meeting 5

8 Demonstrators in the Forge or Weaver’s Cabin Several

Source: Smithfield Plantation administrator, 2015.


Apart from the above functions, Smithfield Plantation provides internship opportunities

to undergraduate students of Virginia Tech, which is important for students in learning about the

history of Smithfield Plantation and the United States.

The survey results showed that, from the perspective of people who were interviewed,

Smithfield Plantation is primarily a historical site followed by cultural and social functions of

Smithfield Plantation as shown in Figure 6 below. 39% respondents considered historical site as

the major function of Smithfield. A quarter of respondents believed that the site has cultural and

social importance.

Figure 6: Percentage of functions of Smithfield Plantation for community. n=42. Blacksburg, VA. 2015

The research team thoroughly observed the register book and feedback cards in

Smithfield Plantation. We found that the majority of the visitors found the tour guides effective.


They thought the tour was impressive and the duration of tour was appropriate (Smithfield

Plantation administrator shared the feedback card and visitor registration log book).

Those records provide very important feedback to the management team of the

organization to make visits more fruitful and interesting. The feedback cards show that students’

parents and friends get information from the students of Virginia Tech. However, we found

several students in Virginia Tech, who did not know about Smithfield Plantation and they had

not visited it yet.

The Smithfield Plantation administrator also mentioned that the Smithfield-Preston

Foundation provides internship opportunities to undergraduate students of Virginia Tech. In

2014, seven students completed the internship. Five of them later got jobs in museums, one

entered graduate school and one was disqualified from graduation. Smithfield Plantation

provides the important platform for interns to learn about the history and culture of America

during the 18th century. The opportunity also develops the leadership of interns by giving them a

chance to speak in public events and prepare reports.

Preservation

Preservation of Smithfield Plantation has a big significance for the Blacksburg

community in terms of architecture and historical homes. According to the Smithfield Plantation

administrator, preserving this historical site is the main goal of the Smithfield-Preston

Foundation. The foundation, the community, and all likeminded people understand what

Smithfield means to the area.


Likewise, the local people in Blacksburg agreed that preserving Smithfield Plantation is

important for the community. 98% of the informants who knew and had visited Smithfield

Plantation mentioned that preservation of this historical site is significant because it is useful for

American history (Figure 7). Smithfield Plantation is also a historical tour destination for people

from different countries (Smithfield Plantation Administration, 2015).

Figure 7: Percentage of informants mentioned the importance of preservation of Smithfield Plantation. N =42. Blacksburg, VA. 2015

Preserving Smithfield Plantation is not a single actor’s responsibility. The Smithfield-

Preston Foundation and the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities play a core

role in preserving this historical and architectural place. The data analyzed showed that

Blacksburg community, donors, government (the State and Blacksburg governors) and visitors

are responsible to preserve Smithfield Plantation (Figure 8).


Figure 8: Percentage of relevant institutions of Smithfield Plantation preservation. n=42. Blacksburg. 2015

Community’s perspectives towards Smithfield Plantation

For the future change of Smithfield Plantation, among 41 people who answered that they

had gone to visit Smithfield Plantation, 43% did not want to see any changes and they wanted to

keep this historical site the same as the present day. However, 33% wanted to see changes or

improvement, such as programs for college students, public transportation from the downtown to

Smithfield Plantation and people wearing the clothes of the 18th century. On the other hand, 24%

of responders had no ideas about change (Figure 9).


Figure 9: Percentage of informants who wanted Smithfield to be changed. n=42. Blacksburg, VA. 2015

Interestingly, 74 % of visitors who had already visited Smithfield plantation showed

willingness to visit again (figure 10). They believe that Smithfield Plantation is a good place to

learn about history and architecture and to see events.

Figure 10: Percentage of informants who want to visit Smithfield Plantation again in the future. n=42. Blacksburg, VA. 2015


Management and Challenges

To function and serve Smithfield Plantation sustainably, good management including,

budget personnel and event management are required. According to the Smithfield Plantation

administrator, funds are collected from tours, rentals, and museum store sales, along with

memberships and gifts. However, finances are always a challenge, and encroachment from the

expansion at Virginia Tech as well as new roads are other challenges.

Conclusion

Smithfield Plantation is important for Blacksburg residents and visitors because they can

learn about American history and culture in the 18th century. Also, they can participate in

cultural and social events which are given by Smithfield Plantation. Furthermore, American

people believe that is important to preserve the Smithfield Plantation to transfer historical

knowledge about American agriculture to the society. It is a fact that the Blacksburg community

residents consider themselves as the actor to preserve Smithfield Plantation, though they equally

believe there is a role for government and donor agencies. In addition, the large segment of

people do not know Smithfield Plantation. Those who know and keep on visiting are mostly

senior aged people over 50 years old.

Recommendations

There are some recommendations based on the results of the survey. Those

recommendations were the following:

- Provide more programs for college students

- Diffuse information to the university and community because most students in Virginia

Tech seemed not know about Smithfield Plantation


- Include a public transportation to Smithfield Plantation for both students and

communities

- Increase more craft workshops

- Increase social events and cultural shows

- Provide more historical trade shows


References

American History. (2015, July 19). Retrieved from American History: From Revolution to

Reconstruction and Beyond: http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/outlines/economy-1991/a-

historical-perspective-on-the-american-economy/colonial-economy.php

Appalachian Voices. (2015, July 08). Retrieved from appvoices.org:

http://appvoices.org/2007/04/26/2921/

Children in History. (2015, July 16). Retrieved from American History:

http://histclo.com/country/us/hist/18/ush18.html

Ching, J. (2009). Biography Thomas Jefferson. New York: DK publishing.

Glanville, J. (2013). William Preston the Surveyor and the Great Virginia Land Grab. The

Smithfield Review, 45.

Glanville, J. (2013). William Preston the Surveyor and the Great Virginia Land Grab. Smithfield

Review, 43-74.

Growing a Nation. (2015, July 16). Retrieved from Growing a Nation: The Story of American

Agriculture: https://www.agclassroom.org

Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. (2015, July 31). Retrieved from Historyisfun.org:

http://historyisfun.org/pdf/colonial-life/colonial_life.pdf

Lemon, J. T. (1990). Colonial America in the Eighteenth Century. The historical geography of a

changing continent, eds., 125.


Mintz, S. (2015, July 16). The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Retrieved from

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History: http://www.gilderlehrman.org

Monticello.org. (2015, July 19). Retrieved from Monticello.org: Wheel Cipher:

https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/wheel-cipher

Preservation Virginia. (2015, July 11). Retrieved from Preservation Virginia:

http://preservationvirginia.org/visit/property-detail/william-preston

Shmoop University. (2015, July 21). Retrieved from Shmoop University:

http://www.shmoop.com/american-revolution/lexington-concord-battle.html

Smithfield Plantation. (2015, August 1). Retrieved from Smithfield Plantation:

http://www.smithfieldplantation.org/pages/visit/garden.html

Town of Blacksburg, Virginia. (2015, July 15). Retrieved from Town of Blacksburg, Virginia:

http://www.blacksburg.gov/index.aspx?page=213

US History/American Revolution. (2015, July 16). Retrieved from US History/American

Revolution: http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/US-

History_American-Revolution.pdf

Virginia Main Street Communities. (2015, August 1). Retrieved from Virginia Main Street

Communities: http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/vamainstreet/agriculture.htm

Williams Jr, R. G. (2013). Lexington, Virginia and the Civil War. Charleston: The History Press.

Wright, G. (2003). Slavery and American Agricultural History. Agricultural History, 528.


References of photos

Photo 1: Wedding ceremony: http://www.mayamcmahonphotography.com

Photo 3: Culture show: OurValley.org

Photo 6: Easter Day: http://www.roanoke.com


Appendices

Appendix 1: Annual activity plan of Smithfield Plantation for 2015

2015 Events

January 22nd, Thursday Hahn Garden and Smithfield: Thursday, Peter Hatch Lecture

January 25th, Sunday

2PM Annual Patriots Meeting: Baroque Music

February 11th,

Wednesday Annual Patriots Meeting: A.J. Moose- Antique Jewelry

February 28th, Saturday Lecture Series: Tom Sherman- "Soul Food" at St. Luke Odd Fellas

March 1st, Sunday 3PM Matinee at the Museum: Museum- Field of Lost Shoes

March 7th, Saturday Opening Day

March 7th, Saturday Class: Fruit Tree Pruning

March 11th, Wednesday Patriots Meeting: Craig, The Black Family and their Role in Town

History

March 19th, Thursday Lecture Series: "Quilting" with Hillary Harrison, Alexander Black House

March 28th, Saturday Grand Opening

April 4th, Saturday Easter Egg Hunt

April 5th, Sunday Easter Sunrise Service

April 8th, Wednesday Patriots Meeting: "John Smith Preston" by Polly Carder

April 16th, Thursday Lecture Series: "Traditional Appalachian Professions" by Michael

Abraham- Alexander Black House

April (TBA) Matinee at the Museum: Lincoln


April (TBA) Class: Fruit Tree Grafting, Barry Robinson- Hahn Garden or Pavilion

April (TBA) Class: Maple Syrup Collection and Boiling- Pavillion

May 13th, Wednesday Patriots Meeting: Blacksmithing of Smithfield, Mike Johnson- Lawn

Party

May 17th, Sunday Sunday Drives: TBD In-between: Cloyds Mountain, Newbern, Newport,

New Dublin, New River Bridge

May 21st, Thursday Lecture Series: Site Visit Downtown, April Danner- Christiansburg

Disbandment 150th

May 24th, Sunday Matinee at the Museum: Cold Mountain or Pharaoh's Army (TBA)

May 25th, Monday 2PM Memorial Day: Flags and Flowers- Cemetery

May 29th, Friday

5:30PM-7PM Class: Soap Making 101, Carol Cochran- Pavilion

May (TBA) Pavilion Series: Sunday Afternoon Concert

June 6th, Saturday Virginia Tech Drillfield Series: (Demonstration on the grounds)

June 10th, Wednesday Patriots Meeting: Topic to be determined

June 13th, Saturday Flag Day: History Mobile, Giles Artillery Demonstration

June 14th, Sunday Sunday Drives: TBD in-between: Ellett Valley, Lisa Hammett, Arrington

Barn, Earhart Cem, Yellow and White Sulphur Springs

June 18th, Thursday Lecture Series: Banjo Making- Alexander Black House

June 19th, Friday 150th Juneteenth: Jubilee Barn Dance, Live music, Cannon Fire, Square

dance calling- Newport

June (TBA) Pavilion Series: Sunday afternoon concert


June (TBA) Matinee at the Museum: Film TBD

July 4th, Saturday

10:00AM to 2:00PM Independence Day

July 20th to 24th Adventure Camp: Appalachian Culture

July 26th Sunday Drives: Ingles Properties in Radford

Source: Smithfield Plantation: 2015


Appendix 2: Photos of social and cultural events celebrated in Smithfield Plantation

Photo 1: Wedding ceremony Photo 4: Feedback card for visitor

Source: http://www.mayamcmahonphotography.com

Photo 2: Tour Photo 5: Hall for general activities

Photo 3: Culture show Photo 6: Easter Day

Source: OurValley.org

Source: http://www.roanoke.com


Appendix 3: Individual Interview Questionnaire

Questionnaires

Code: 000…….

Questionnaire for community

1. General information of informant Gender:

Male Female

Age:

<18 18-25 26-35 36-50 50+

Occupation:

Student Others………………………………..

2. Importance of Smithfield plantation for the Blacksburg community 1.1 Do you know about Smithfield Plantation? Yes No

If yes, have you ever been there?

Yes No

Why?................................................................................................................


1.2 Why do you visit Smithfield Plantation? To learn about history To see events To tour Others, specify…………………………….

Why?.............................................................

3. Current purposes of Smithfield Plantation for the community 3.1 What functions does Smithfield Plantation serve? Social events Cultural events Historical site Others, specify ……………………………..

4. Preservation 4.1 Do you think it is important to preserve Smithfield Plantation? Yes No If yes, who do you think have responsibilities to preserve the Smithfield Plantation?

Government Blacksburg Community Monument Association Visitors Donors Others, specify ……………………………..

4.2 Would you like to see any changes in the future? Yes No If yes, what? .............................................................................................

4.3 Do you plan to continue visit the Smithfield Plantation? Yes No If yes, what? .............................................................................................

Thank you very much for your contribution and your time for us.


Question for Smithfield Plantation management team

1. When was this Smithfield plantation constructed?

2. What purpose does the Smithfield Plantation serve in the Blacksburg community?

3. Why was the Smithfield Plantation restored? Who were involved in restoration?

4. What was the process of restoration of Smithfield plantation? How was community

involved?

5. What benefits that community get from Smithfield Plantation?

6. What the purpose it currently serves in the Blacksburg community?

7. How many functions/roles?

8. How many visitors per years?

9. What is the range age of visitor?

10. Where are the visitors from?

11. How many events per years does Smithfield plantation have?

12. What events does Smithfield Plantation have?

13. How do you manage the Smithfield Plantation (operation, staff, finance, and budget)?

14. What are challenges and how do you deal with them?

15. What are your priorities to preserve this monument and continue the restoration?

16. Do you think it is important to preserve Smithfield Plantation? Who has the responsibility

to preserve it?

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