About
About the Smyth County Historical Society & Museum
Founded in 1961 by a small group of local citizens, the Smyth County Historical Society & Museum was created to preserve our county’s history before valuable artifacts and information were lost. Today, our collection contains thousands of objects, documents, photographs, and books relating to the history of Smyth County, Virginia, and the surrounding Appalachian region. Every single item in our collection has been generously donated by community members who value preserving local history.
Activities & Projects
🎤 Speaker Series
We host eight speaker events each year on topics of local history. The speaker series runs from April through October and take place on the third Sunday of each month unless otherwise noted. See the full schedule »
🚶 Historical Walking Tour of Downtown Marion
In partnership with Marion Downtown, we developed the Marion History Experience walking tour. View the map »
🎄 Christmas at the Museum
Our annual holiday celebration features community-decorated trees throughout the museum during Downtown Marion’s Merry Marion weekend.
Special Projects
Madam Russell Historical Marker
In 2023 we raised funds to install a marker at the gravesite of Elizabeth Henry Campbell “Madam” Russell, ensuring her legacy remains visible where the original stone had become unreadable.
John Montgomery Preston II Uniform Restoration
With support from the Smyth County Board of Supervisors, we restored the Civil War frock coat of John M. Preston II for long-term preservation and display.