Smithfield Local Customs

The square grey house on the right in this picture is the Britt-Simpson House, built around 1854 by George W. Britt. This house is the last house on the walking tour and is just up the street from the Visitor's Center.

This was the home of Frank B. and Emily Delk Simpson. Mrs. Simpson was one of the founders of the Women's Club of Smithfield and the organizer and first director of the Isle of Wight Branch of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA).

These houses are across the street from the Visitor's Center. at 336-346 Main Street

Victorian row , also know as the Painted Ladies, consists of five typical houses of the late Victorian time period (early 1900's), each featuring bay fronts and gingerbread trim. The houses were built around 1901 by Burton W. Hearn, who, himself, lived at 346 Main Street.

This beautiful brick home at 117 South Church Street was one of the first homes built in the newly established town of Smithfield. It was constructed in 1752 for Capt. Samuel Wentworth, a wealthy merchant. He resided here with his wife, Mary, and their five daughters until his death in 1767. The home remained in the Wentworth family until 1802, when it was purchased by Mallory Todd, who cured and shipped Smithfield hams. The Wentworth home was conveyed to Mallory Todd's son and in 1851 he sold it to Robert F. Barrett for $1800. The home would remain on the Barrett family for the next century.

By 1954, the Wentworth-Barrett was unoccupied and in need of restoration. Robert F. Barrett's grandson, Frederick Barrett II, restored the family home and introduced the modern conveniences of running water and electricity to a home that had never experienced them.

This is a picture of the porch of the Folk House at 309 South Church Street. Built in 1876 and painted red during Victorian times, this was the home of William Folk, Mayor of Smithfield, from 1884-1893. Since that time it has been the home of two more of Smithfield's mayors - Howard W. Gwaltney (1950-1961) and Smithfield's first woman mayor, Florine H. Moore, elected in 1986

This house at 226 South Church Street, which is Victorian in style was built in 1876. Mr. Gwaltney founded the peanut business in Smithfield and later re-established the meat curing business started by Mallory Todd. It had scaffolding on in when I took the picture.

This house was built in 1877 for Captain O.G. Delk of Kemper's Brigade in the Civil War. Delk was later captain of one of the steamboats serving the port of Smithfield. The house features floor-length windows.

The large light colored building on the left is Christ Episcopal Church at 111 South Church Street built circ. 1830. The church was built in 1830. The church bell is said to have been tendered to the Confederate Ordinance Department in 1862 during the Civil War.

The red brick building at 117 South Church Street is Wentworth-Barrett House which has its own tip.

The square grey house on the near right corner at 130 South Church Street is the Chapman House which was built around 1892 in the typical Victorian style. It was remodeled in the 1930's to its present hipped-roof Georgian style. Once used as the town's bakery, and later as a library. It is now a Bed & Breakfast named "The Library"

This picture shows the Mary Jackson House on the left side of the street. Opposite the Mary Jackson House at 112 South Mason Street is the blue Miles Cary House
Built circ. 1800. This two-story federal style residence was added to a small Dutch-roofed house, which was later moved to the back of the lot and was eventually torn down. The house was restored between 1997 and 2003 by Trey Gwaltney.

Farther down the street at the corner of Cedar Street & South Mason Street is the red brick Trinity Methodist Church. This Gothic structure, built in 1898, replaced an earlier frame church.

In the next block (but not shown) at 205 South Mason Street is the red brick Smithfield Academy (circ. 1826)

The building was erected in 1826 as a private school for young men. After 1872, it became a public school and later a Masonic Lodge. Restored in 1963, it is used by the Trinity United Methodist Church.