Discover 9 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Smithfield (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: St. Luke's Church, Isle of Wight County Museum, and Old Isle of Wight Courthouse. Also, be sure to include Fort Boykin in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Smithfield (Virginia).
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St. Luke's Church
Church in the Isle of Wight County, Virginia. St. Luke's Church, also known as Old Brick Church, or Newport Parish Church, is a historic church building, located in the unincorporated community of Benns Church, near Smithfield in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, United States. It is the oldest church in Virginia and oldest church in British North America of brick construction. According to local tradition the structure was built in 1632, but other evidence points to a date of 1682; see Dating controversy.
On October 15, 1966, St. Luke's was designated a National Historic Landmark and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of its historic and architectural distinction. In 1957 President Dwight D. Eisenhower designated the site a National Shrine in concert with the 350th anniversary of Jamestown.
Since 1954 Historic St. Luke's Restoration, doing business as Historic St. Luke's Church, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that maintains, preserves, promotes, and interprets the 17th-century, 100-acre historic site. Historic St. Luke's does not receive any federal, state, or municipal funding. All funding comes from private corporations, foundations, and individuals.[1]
Address: 14477 Benns Church Blvd, 23430 Smithfield
Isle of Wight County Museum
Museum in Smithfield, Virginia. The Isle of Wight County Museum is located in Smithfield, Virginia.[2]
Address: 103 Main St, 23430-1322 Smithfield
Old Isle of Wight Courthouse
Courthouse. The Old Isle of Wight Courthouse was built in 1750-51 and was used as the main courthouse for Isle of Wight County, Virginia until a new courthouse was built at Isle of Wight, Virginia in 1800. It is located in the Historic District in the town of Smithfield.[3]
Address: 130 Main St, 23430-1323 Smithfield
Fort Boykin
Park in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. Fort Boykin is a historic site in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, located along the James River. The history of the site is believed to date back to 1623 when colonists were ordered to build a fort to protect them from attacking Native Americans or Spanish marauders. Today the remains of the fort, mostly from the American Civil War, are preserved in a public park.[4]
Address: 7410 Fort Boykin Trl, 23430-2638 Smithfield
Fort Huger
Park in the Rushmere, Virginia. Fort Huger is a historic archaeological site located near Smithfield, Isle of Wight County, Virginia. The site is the location of an abandoned American Civil War fort on the south side of the James River across from Fort Eustis/Mulberry Point. It was named for Major General Benjamin Huger, commander of the Confederate States Army's Department of Norfolk at the time it was built. Fort Huger was an integral part of the Confederate Army's James River defenses in late summer 1861 through spring 1862.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.[5]
Address: 15080 Talcott Pl, 23430-5560 Smithfield
Windsor Castle
Park in Smithfield, Virginia. Windsor Castle is a former plantation and now a public park in Smithfield, Virginia, United States. It is located in the Smithfield Historic District.[6]
Wentworth–Grinnan House
The Wentworth–Grinnan House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located on the river side of South Church Street within the Smithfield Historic District in Smithfield, Virginia. Smithfield is a colonial seaport town on the Pagan River in Isle of Wight County with colonial trading ties to Bermuda and the West Indies.[7]
William Rand Tavern
Bar in Smithfield, Virginia. William Rand Tavern, also known as Rectory of the Christ Episcopal Church, Sykes Inn, and Smithfield Inn, is a historic inn and tavern located at Smithfield, Isle of Wight County, Virginia. It was built about 1752, and is a two-story, five bay, Georgian style brick and frame building. It has a standing-seam metal hipped roof with parged brick chimneys at the building ends. A rear addition was built in 1922–1923. It opened as a tavern in 1759, and operated as such until 1854, when the Vestry of Christ Church purchased it. The church sold the property in 1892, and it resumed use as an inn in 1922. It is now operated as a bed and breakfast.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. It is located in the Smithfield Historic District.[8]
P. D. Gwaltney Jr. House
Heritage building in Smithfield, Virginia. P. D. Gwaltney Jr. House is a historic home located at Smithfield, Isle of Wight County, Virginia. The house was built about 1900, and is a large two-story, rectangular, Queen Anne style wood frame mansion with three porches. It features an elaborate profile punctuated by a corner turret, projecting bays, and a complex roof form. It was the primary residence of Pembroke Decatur Gwaltney Jr. of the Gwaltney meat empire.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. It is located in the Smithfield Historic District.
The mansion remained in the Gwaltney family until 2016.[9]