Spring in 1776 Celebration at Smithfield
Opening Day Event Launches Commemoration of America’s 250th Anniversary
Historic Smithfield will open its 2026 season with a special Opening Day celebration on Saturday, April 11, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, inviting the community to step back in time and experience life on Virginia’s colonial frontier. The event marks the beginning of Historic Smithfield’s commemorative programming leading up to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, which will culminate with a major Independence Day celebration this summer.
Themed “Frontier Spring in 1776,” the opening event will explore the seasonal rhythms of life in Southwest Virginia during the Revolutionary era. Visitors will encounter living history interpreters demonstrating the types of work that filled the spring months for frontier families—from planting gardens and preparing food to repairing tools and producing household goods.
Throughout the afternoon, guests can enjoy a variety of hands-on learning activities for all ages, including seed planting, candle dipping, making church dolls, and simple textile crafts alongside blacksmithing and militia demonstrations. These activities are designed to help families experience firsthand how people lived and worked in the years surrounding the American Revolution.
The event will begin at 11:00 AM with a live performance by a cohort of Montgomery Junior Appalachian Musicians. At 12:00 PM, visitors can attend a special living history presentation featuring William Preston, portrayed by Historic Smithfield Executive Director Michael Hudson, in conversation with Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Shakespearean-trained actor Bryan Austin of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. This engaging dialogue will explore the ideas and challenges facing Virginians in the years leading up to the American Revolution. Immediately following the presentation at 1:00 PM, guests can enjoy a lively, foot-stomping performance by the bluegrass band New Standard. The day’s entertainment is generously sponsored by Jef and Katie Graham.
Live music, craft demonstrations, local vendors, and food trucks will also be part of the festivities, creating a lively spring atmosphere on the historic grounds.
“Opening Day is always a special moment for Historic Smithfield,” said Visitor Experiences Coordinator Jenny Nehrt. “This year is particularly meaningful as we begin a series of events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. We’re excited to invite the community to explore our region’s colonial past and join us in reflecting on the shared local history that shaped our nation.”
Historic Smithfield’s 2026 programming will continue throughout the spring and summer, culminating in a large Independence Day celebration and Colonial Fair on July 4, featuring expanded living history programming, music, crafts, and community activities.
Historic Smithfield, built in 1774, is a museum and historic site interpreting life in Virginia’s western frontier during the colonial and Revolutionary eras. Located in Blacksburg, the site offers tours, educational programs, and community events throughout the year.
Event Details:
Historic Smithfield Opening Day: Frontier Spring in 1776
Saturday, April 11 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Historic Smithfield
1000 Merry Oak Way
Blacksburg, VA
For more information, visit www.historicsmithfield.org.
