Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, Montgomery County Branch Papers
Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA) (1889-2009)
Preservation Virginia (2009-)
Ms.1962.001
ca. 9 Cubic Feet
13 boxes; 7 oversize folders; 1 oversize roll
1754-1996
1958-1983
The records largely document the recent history of Smithfield Plantation, ancestral home of the Preston family, focusing particularly on its restoration beginning in 1962. While much of the renovation occurred in the 1960s, many of the records detail other renovation projects done in the 1970s and 1980s. The collection also includes historical and other related documents dating from before the original Preston family's residence at Smithfield.
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, Montgomery County Branch Papers, Ms1962-001, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, Montgomery County Branch Papers were donated to Special Collections and University Archives in multiple accruals between 1962 and 1996.
Processing Information
Processing was completed in September 1996, after initial processing in the 1980s. Additional description was completed in October 2009.
Existence and Location of Copies
Some of this collection has been digitized and is available online.
Administrative History
Founded in 1889, the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA) has twenty branches which own and maintain historic properties. In November 1958 the APVA authorized the organization of the Montgomery County branch for the specific purpose of acquiring and restoring Smithfield Plantation, the historic home near Blacksburg in Montgomery County, Virginia, built by William Preston in 1773. In 1959 Mrs. Janie Preston Brockenbrough Lamb, a descendant of Preston, donated Smithfield and 4.5 acres of land to the APVA. Restoration of the building was begun in 1962 when the APVA's Montgomery County Branch raised the funds for renovation and contracted with architects and contractors. Since its foundation, and in more recent years, the organization has had some changes, including the dissolution of branches and the combination of the Montgomery County Branch with the Smithfield Preston Foundation. In 2009, the name was changed to Preservation Virgina.
Smithfield Plantation is the historic home of the Preston family, one of the founding families of Blacksburg and Montgomery County, Virginia. It was built by William Preston (1729-1783), who emigrated from northern Ireland with his family in 1737. He married Susanna Smith in 1761 and settled at Greenfield in Botetourt County in 1769. Preston established himself as a leader in the Virginia frontier by serving in the militia in the French and Indian and Revolutionary wars, in the House of Burgesses representing Augusta County from 1766 to 1768 and Botetourt County in 1769, and as County Lieutenant of Fincastle and Montgomery. He was appointed surveyor of Fincastle County in 1772 and moved his family to that area. He built Smithfield, named in honor of his wife, in 1773. Smithfield was the birthplace and home of three Virginia governors, including James Patton Preston (son of William), and John Buchanan Floyd and John Floyd, Jr. (grandsons of William).
George Green Shackelford, a professor of history from 1954 to 1986 (now Emeritus) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, or Virginia Tech, which is adjacent to the Smithfield property, spearheaded the restoration by forming the Montgomery County branch and adopting the project of preserving and restoring the Smithfield residence.
The APVA changed their name to Preservation Virginia in 2009. However, since the mateirals in this collection were created under the previous name, we have retained that for the collection title. Both names have been added to the corporate names associated with this collection.
Scope and Content
The records largely document the recent history of Smithfield Plantation, ancestral home of the Preston family, focusing particularly on its restoration beginning in 1962. While much of the renovation occurred in the 1960s, many of the records detail other renovation projects done in the 1970s and 1980s.
The collection is organized into seven series: Series I: Correspondence(largely from and to George Shackelford); Series II: Publications, including APVA and Montgomery County branch newsletters and APVA Discovery magazines; Series III: Smithfield Plantation Renovation, including appraisals, reports, and receipts; Series IV: Renovations of other Smithfield Plantation Buildings, including information about the renovations of other structures on the Smithfield property, (the cook's cabin, the miller's log house, and the smokehouse); Series V: AVPA General Files, including meeting minutes, financial reports, and building committee reports; Series VI: Historical Documents from dating from the original Preston family's residence at Smithfield (materials include manuscript account books (1754-1763) of William Preston while residing at Greenfield, manuscript pages detailing work done by a wheelright (1845-1850); and genealogical information about the Preston family); and Series VII: Miscellaneous Documents, which includes materials relating to historic Montgomery County and the Smithfield Plantation. The collection also contains Series VIII: Oversize Documents, containing blueprints and architectural drawings.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into eight series. Wherever possible, materials are arranged chronologically within each series.
Series I: Correspondence
Series II: Publications
Series III: Smithfield Plantation Renovation
Series IV: Renovations of other Smithfield Plantation Buildings
Series V: AVPA General Files
Series VI: Historical Documents
Series VII: Miscellaneous Documents
Series VIII: Oversize Documents
Related Archival Material
Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives houses a number of other collections containing information on the Preston family and Smithfield Plantation:
John Preston Deed, Ms2005-014
John Preston Papers, Ms1994-034
Preston Family (Alice Preston Moore Collection) Papers, Ms1962-004
Preston Family (Charles Peale Didier Collection) Papers, Ms1985-020
Robert Taylor Preston Papers, Ms1992-003
William Preston Land Grant, Ms1994-027
George Green Shackelford Papers, Ms1983-008
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, Montgomery County Branch Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Blacksburg (Va.)
Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
Montgomery County (Va.)
Women -- History
Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA) (1889-2009)
Preston family (Montgomery County, Va.)
Smithfield Plantation House (Blacksburg, Va.)
Series I: Correspondence1958-1988Correspondence to APVA members1961-197011Correspondence about the Civil War Centennial1958-196412Correspondence and Photographs to/from Howe P. Cochran1962-196413Correspondence to/from Charles W. Crush1962-196414Correspondence to/from and Newspaper Articles about the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), 1962-1964, and DAR May 1961 and August-September 1963 Magazines1961-196415Correspondence to/from Preston Davie1961-196516Correspondence to/from Virginia Drewry1960-196517Correspondence to/from Virginia Farrier, Marion Fuller, Mary Fray, and Preston Fox III1960-196318Correspondence to/from and Newspaper Articles about the Garden Club of Virginia1969-198419Correspondence to/from Preston P. Joyes1960-1965110Correspondence to/from Mrs. Lamb (includes newspaper articles about her death)1958-1965111Correspondence to/from Brockenbrough Lamb Jr. (includes newspaper articles about his death)1960-1964112Correspondence on Cyrus Hall McCormick Historical Site1958-1959113Correspondence to/from William Tayloe Munford (Smithfield Plantation interior decorator)1963-1965114Correspondence about the National Trust for Historic Preservation1959-196321Correspondence to/from Sarah Caperton Preston and Nelly C. Preston1961-196422Correspondence to/from Marguerite Stuart Quarles1958-196023Correspondence about the National Trust Summer School (summer study abroad programs)1958-196424Correspondence to/from Mrs. W. Taliaferro Thompson1963-196525Miscellaneous Correspondence to/from George Shackelford1957-195926Miscellaneous Correspondence to/from George Shackelford196027Miscellaneous Correspondence to/from George Shackelford196128Miscellaneous Correspondence to/from George Shackelford (includes photographs of paintings, misc.)196229Miscellaneous Correspondence to/from George Shackelford1963210Miscellaneous Correspondence to/from George Shackelford1964211Miscellaneous Correspondence to/from George Shackelford1965212Miscellaneous Correspondence to/from George Shackelford1967-197031Miscellaneous Correspondence to/from George Shackelford1975-197932Miscellaneous Correspondence to/from George Shackelford (includes obituaries of William P. Mounfield)1980-198833Miscellaneous Correspondence to/from George Shackelfordn.d.34Series II: Publications1959-1989Newspaper Articles about Smithfield Plantation1959-196935Copies of Newspaper Articles about Smithfield Plantation1960-196336Newspaper Articles about Smithfield Plantation1970-197337Newspaper Articles about Smithfield Plantation1980-198438APVA Discovery Magazines, [Fall 1977; Spring and Fall 1978; Spring and Fall 1980; Summer 1981; Fall/Winter 1982; Winter 1982; Winter 1983; 1984-85 annual reports; 1986-88; and Centennial 1989]1977-1989.39APVA Newsletters (Vol. I, no. 1 through Vol. VI, no. 3)1983-1988310Montgomery County Branch APVA Newsletters, [Jan. 1981; Feb. 1983; Jan. 1984; May 1985; Jan. 1986; Mar. and Oct. 1987; Mar., Jun., and Nov. 1988; and Jun. 1989]1981-1989.311Series III: Smithfield Plantation Renovation1899-1989Photographs and Negatives of Smithfield Plantation1899-196741Smithfield Plantation Titles, Copies of Deeds, Appraisals, and Plats1904-196342Acquisition of Smithfield Plantation Property (initial proposal, APVA acceptance, Montgomery County Branch APVA Constitution & By-Laws)1958-196243Correspondence to/from G.E. Trout & Sons, General Contractors at Smithfield Plantation1959-196344Smithfield Plantation Historical Information, Restoration Plan, and Budget Plan for Operations196045Roof Shingles for Smithfield Plantation196046Financing for the Restoration of Smithfield Plantation1960-196347Process of Renovation at Smithfield Plantation (architect and contractor correspondence)1960-196448Photocopies of Layouts and Blueprints for Smithfield Plantation1960-198249Correspondence about Refurnishing Smithfield Plantation1961-1981410Notepaper and Postal Cards for Smithfield Plantation1962-196351Correspondence from Guerrant & Mounfield, Architects for Smithfield Plantation Restoration1962-196452Smithfield Plantation Restoration Correspondence, Sketches, and Photographs1962-196453Smithfield Plantation Restoration Bills and Correspondence1962-196554Information about Furniture (appraisals, gifts, purchases, shipping orders, and photographs)1962-196555"Specifications for Restoration of Smithfield Plantation House," Copy 1, by Guerrant & Mounfield, A.I.A. Architects196356"Specifications for Restoration of Smithfield Plantation House," Duplicate of Copy 1, by Guerrant & Mounfield, A.I.A. Architects196357"Proposed Landscape Plan for Smithfield Plantation" by Philip John Markham196758Montgomery County Branch APVA Archeological Project at Smithfield Plantation1967-197559"A Report on an Excavation at Smithfield Plantation House" (trench excavation along the south side of the main house and office excavation) by K.R. Bonnett and J.D. Lahendro, and Quarterly Bulletin of Archeological Society of Virginia1975-1976510Smithfield Plantation Proposal for Public Restroom Sites197761Smithfield Plantation Accessions Committee Report. Accessions are of Furniture, "Janie Preston" Doll, Rugs from Howe Preston Cockran, and Indian Artifacts, Donated to Smithfield198062"Archeological Testing of 44MY97, Smithfield Plantation" (location of cultural deposits on grounds north of main house) by Herbert G. Fisher198263Smithfield Plantation Capital Funds Drive198264Smithfield Plantation Improvements for Water and Sewer198265Smithfield Plantation Reconstruction Notes and Fees1982-198466Smithfield Plantation Restroom Project1982-198667"Archeological Testing of Walkway Feature 44MY97, Smithfield Plantation" by Herbert G. Fisher (includes slides and photographs)198368Smithfield Plantation Building Committee Report198469Smithfield Plantation Building Committee1984610Smithfield Plantation Contracts with Don Loop, Inc., Masonry and Building Contractor1984-1986611Smithfield Plantation Air Conditioning Correspondence (includes photographs)1984-1989612Smithfield Plantation Storm Window Specs and Catalogs; Possible Donations for Windows1985613Smithfield Plantation Organization and Operations198571Smithfield Plantation Building Committee (includes photographs)1985-198672Smithfield Plantation Budgets and Plans1985-198973"Air Conditioning Study for Smithfield Plantation Main House" by Mills, Oliver, & Webb, Inc., Architects198674Smithfield Plantation Curator Contract1986-198875Smithfield Plantation Building Committee1986-199076Smithfield Plantation Pest Control Records1986-199077Smithfield Plantation Well Abandonment, Roanoke Pump Sales & Service198778"Central Chimney Base Excavation, Smithfield Plantation" by Woods River Construction Co. (includes photographs)198779Smithfield Plantation Beam Reinforcement (includes photographs)198781Information on Cedar Shingles and Shakes for Smithfield Plantation198782"New Air Conditioning System, Smithfield Plantation" by Mills, Oliver, & Webb, Inc., Architects198783Smithfield Plantation Waterproofing (includes photographs and negatives)1987-198884Smithfield Plantation Air Conditioning, Mills, Oliver, & Webb Inc., Architects1987-198385Smithfield Plantation Air Conditioning, Woods River Company1987-198886Smithfield Plantation Air Conditioning Controls and Schematics1987-198987Smithfield Plantation Building Committee, Bills Paid1987-199088Smithfield Plantation Air Conditioning, Air Control Corporation1987-199091Smithfield Plantation Painting Specifications and Catalogs1988-198992Smithfield Plantation Interior Painting1988-198993"Smithfield Plantation, Historic Paint Research Report: The Interior Woodwork" by Matthew John Mosca198994Smithfield Plantation Letterhead and Envelopesundated95"Specifications for the Restoration of Smithfield Plantation House" by Mounfield and Nichols, A.I.A. Architects96Smithfield Plantation Restoration Booklet97Smithfield Plantation Blueprint and Sketches for the Relocation of Heat Pumps98Series IV: Renovations of Other Smithfield Plantation Buildings1970-1986Smithfield Plantation Cook's Cabin Restoration197099"Restoration of Miller's Log House, Establishment of Water Source for Mill, and Eventual Reconstruction of Grist Mill" by William L. Favrao1976910"Outline Specifications for Restoration and Remodeling of the Miller's House and Site Water and Sewer Lines" by Rogers & Reynolds Architects, Inc.1982911Application for funds for Cook's Cabin, Miller's House, and Water and Sewer1982912"Outline Specifications for 1) Restoration and Remodeling of the Miller's House and 2) Site Water and Sewer Lines, Smithfield Plantation" by Rogers & Reynolds Architects, Inc. (includes photographs)1982913Smithfield Plantation Smokehouse Contract1985-1986914Smithfield Plantation Cook's Cabin and Smokehouse Restoration1986101Contract Documents, Cook's Cabin Enclosure, Smithfield Plantation1986102Smithfield Plantation Enclosure of Cook's Cabin and Restoration of Weaver's Cabin1986-1990103Photographs of the Miller's Log House104Series V: AVPA General Files1899-1989APVA Souvenir of the Midsummer Night's Dream (souvenir book containing history and board members of APVA, play committees, and advertisements)1899105Montgomery County Branch APVA Membership and Financial Records1957-1970106Montgomery County Branch APVA Constitution & By-laws, Annual Reports, Meeting Agendas/Notes, Membership List1957-1971107Montgomery County Branch APVA Minutes and Records (bound book)1959-1963108APVA Mailing Lists1960-1962111Montgomery County Branch APVA Minutes1963-1979112Newspaper Clippings about Smithfield Plantation1973-1988113Purchase of 7.11 acres of Smithfield Plantation property from Estate of Janie B. Lamb1979114Montgomery County Branch APVA minutes1987-1994115APVA Accessions Policy and Accessions of Items for Smithfield Plantation1980-1989116Montgomery County Branch APVA Minutes, Financial Reports, and Building Committee Reports1981-1983117Montgomery County Branch APVA Handbook (minutes, budgets and budget reports, members, by-laws, maps, and copies of photographs)1984-1990118Montgomery County Branch APVA Amended By-laws1985121Montgomery County Branch APVA Minutes1985-1986122APVA Branch Operating Manual Prepared for the Montgomery County Branch1987123Information about the APVA Centennial Celebration1989124Series VI: Historical Documents1754-1826Manuscript Account Book of William Preston of Greenfield1754-1759125Manuscript Account Book of William Preston of Greenfield1755-1763126Original Document of Tax Document on William Preston's Estate1805127Manuscript Pages detailing work done by a Wheelwright1845-1850128James Cochran's handwritten copy of Mrs. Letitia Floyd's 1843 manuscript of History of the Preston Family, done by Cochran in 1848. Includes a typescript transcription by June Stubbs1996129Obituary notice of Mrs. Louisa Penelope Preston18531210E.L. Hawkins manuscript book of his Blacksburg business general ledger accounts18591211Envelope with piece of flax spun by Margaret Buchanan Campbell (the envelope has a written account of the history of the flax - "Charles Campbell was placed in jail because he was unable to pay all his taxes. His wife, Margaret, spun flax thread to sell. She was able to get her husband out of jail and pay their taxes with the money she made from the thread")1907.1212Letter to Mrs. J.S. Grasty from Monica McPherson19321213Poem by Kathleen Shelor Bibb, "Smithfield" Ancestor of V.P.I.19641214Typed Copy of The Will of Colonel William Preston, The Radford Review, Faculty Research Issue19721215Inventory of Preston Papers and Correspondence about Appraisals19851216"Archeological Investigation of the Governor John Floyd and Letitia Preston Floyd Graves, Sweet Springs, Monroe County, West Virginia" by Kenneth W. Robinson19881217Genealogy of the Preston Family1218Copy of text written on John Preston's monument at Tinkling Spring Cemetery1219Photograph copy of the Preston Family and the Civil War1220Typescript list of the account of property William Preston owned when he died on June 28, 17931221Photocopy of list of the Personal Estate of Jamis P. Preston1222Photocopies of Susanna Smith Preston's last will and testament (1822), inventory of goods (1825), and account of property sold (1826)1223Colonel William Preston and His Illustrious Progeny, by George Shackelford1224Smithfield Plantation1225Poem by Hyde Fowlkes, Smithfield1226Photograph of Thomas Lewis Preston1227Copies of drawings of William Lynn Lewis, Mary Preston Lewis, Margaret Lynn Lewis Cochran, John Cochran, with a brief history on the back of each1228Series VII: Miscellaneous Documents1959-1986National Trust for Historic Preservation Printed Material1959-1964131Information about the Tourist Industry from the U.S. Department of Commerce and Correspondence about creating a Commission to study the Tourist Industry1964-1965132Acceptance and thank you notes to the Preservation of Restored Grounds and Garden of Smithfield Plantation, hosted by the Garden Club of Virginia1984133Resume and letter of recommendation for Jeffrey Clayton Turner, Smithfield Plantation Resident Curator1985134Notes on Virginia Publications1985-1987135"Williams Mill Report" (Valley Roller Mill restoration, includes photographs and negatives)1986136Typed Geneology on the Montgomery and Graham Family137Copy of Historical Map of Montgomery County138Photographs and Negatives of Cane Mill at Mabry Mill139Miscellaneous Unidentified Pen Sketches of Lake Scenes and Trees (artist unknown)1310Copy of "Park Planning Guidelines" by George E. Fogg1311Brochures and Pamphlets about Jamestown (historic property owned by APVA)1312Old Church Tower at Jamestown by Chas. W. Smith1313Series VIII: Oversize Documents1962-1990Smithfield Plantation Restoration Blueprints1962-19631Smithfield Plantation Restoration Drawings1962-19652Smithfield Plantation Restoration Drawings1963-19653Smithfield Plantation Restoration Blueprints1963-19654Smithfield Plantation Miller's Cabin Restoration Drawings1980-19825Smithfield Plantation Restoration Blueprints1982-19906Smithfield Plantation Log Cabin Restoration Blueprints19907Topo of Smithfield Plantation19741