F.A.Q.

Do you accept donations of items?

Yes. If you have something to donate, please get in touch with us. We are interested in artifacts, documents, photographs, and other items that represent the history of Smyth County. If you have items to donate, please contact us beforehand. Items left outside of the museum or with someone not a representative of the museum cannot be accepted.

Are your archival materials available for research?

Yes. We are currently conducting the lengthy process of organizing our archives, so they are not in a state where they can be freely accessed. Please contact us with your research inquiries so that a museum worker can see if we have anything in our collection that might be useful to you. From there we will set up an appointment for you to conduct your research.

Can I order items from your gift shop online?

Yes. We have a selection of items from our gift shop available for ordering online including t-shirts and books. These items can be viewed in the “STORE” section of our website. Currently, you cannot order these items online as one might typically do (i.e. add to cart). Please contact us by email at smythcountymuseum@gmail.com to order.

What is that big brick building off of exit 39 near Seven Mile Ford?

People passing through on I81 are often intrigued and fascinated when they notice this large, abandoned brick home right off the interstate. This house is known locally as the “Preston-Crockett House.” The home was built in 1842 by John Montgomery Preston and was later inhabited by famous author Lucy Herndon Crockett. A wealth of information on the history of the home can be found online by searching “Preston-Crockett House Seven Mile Ford, Virginia.” The house is listed on the Nation Register of Historic Places and in 2022 was added to Preservation Virginia “Most Endangered” list of historic places in Virginia due to a proposal that would put a truck stop on the site. To see the historic register application, please see this link: https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/086-0003_Preston_House_1969_NRHP_nomination_Final.pdf