Museum Guide

History awaits you in Blacksburg, VA at Historic Smithfield. This historic plantation, was originally part of the Preston family and today, it stands as a preserved historic site and museum, showcasing colonial-era architecture and offering insights into the lifestyle of early settlers.  Historic Smithfield seeks to inspire a new generation of Americans through the stories and values of the Preston Family and all those who lived at Smithfield. These values are liberty, courage, leadership, education, and justice. Smithfield began operating independently of the APVA (now Virginia Antiquities) in 2018 when the Smithfield-Preston Foundation took full ownership of the property. It partners with Virginia Tech, which holds an historic preservation easement on the manor house, out buildings, and historic landscape. With the help of the Preservation Virginia and the Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution, the property was restored and opened to the public in 1964. The rooms of the house are furnished with eighteenth and nineteenth century decorative arts furniture, portraits and other items, while the basement level Museum contains a variety of artifacts found on-site, including Native Anerican relics. The landscape includes an eighteenth-century kitchen garden tended by volunteers.  Historic Smithfield uses the complx histories of the regions indigenous peoples, the Preston Family and the enslaved community to inform our present and future! They are open for tours April through the first week in December! Come visit soon and experience this Anerican rich and complex history in Blacksburg, VA ! https://www.historicsmithfield.org/  

The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, is a fascinating institution dedicated to preserving the history and educating visitors about the petroleum industry in the Permian Basin region. A visit to the Museum is an amazing journey through over 230 million years of history. Located in the heart of the Permian Basin, the Petroleum Museum offers interactive education and entertainment for adventurers of all ages. It showcases exhibits on the geology of the area, the technology used in oil exploration and extraction, the impact of the industry on the local economy and culture, and the individuals who have shaped its history. Visitors can explore interactive displays, multimedia presentations, and artifacts that highlight the development of the oil industry in the Permian Basin, which has been a significant contributor to the energy sector in the United States for over a century. From the early wildcatters to the modern innovations in drilling techniques, the museum provides an exciting and comprehensive look at the evolution of the industry and its influence on the region and beyond. In addition to its permanent exhibits, the museum often hosts special events, educational programs, and temporary exhibitions that go deeper into various aspects of petroleum exploration, production, and its impact on society and the environment. We are also proud to be a Blue Star Museum! The Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history of the oil industry or seeking to understand the role of energy in shaping the modern world. Please go to our website to see all our upcoming summer exhibits and more! https://petroleummuseum.org/  

The Sandy Historical Society Museums location was built on the exact site of the famous Barlow Road, which was the last leg of the Oregon Trail that brought thousands of pioneers in covered wagons over the Cascade Mountains to Western Oregon from the mid 1840s until the 1870s. The museums carefully curated exhibits conjure a history and peoples who endured hardship and travail to help bring civilization to our piece of Oregon Territory. The museum's two floors of exhibit space are devoted to the geography, the pioneers and settlers, and their role in the settling of the West. The main exhibit hall showcases the role of geography in influencing the immigrants to stay in this area rather than push towards the Columbia River. The exhibit hall includes a diorama, video, logging equipment and an excellent collection of photographs of the logging industry, which was the heart of the Sandy economy. From the kitchen to the parlor, the barnyard to the local shops, the displays in the top floor gallery (accessible by elevator) are meant to be a look back in time. The exhibits include a good selection of home goods that were at the core of home life - cast iron pots, kitchen implements and more. There is also the museum's Jonsrud Library with relevant history volumes and the family histories of Sandy-area families who have submitted them. The family histories also include photographs and obituaries that volunteers have contributed to the paper history. The Museum also has meeting facilities for rent, a visitor center, and a gift shop. Where there is a large variety of items from the area: souvenirs, hats, t-shirts and logo items. You are sure to find something to take home! Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4PM. Sunday & Monday Closed Come visit us soon, as a visit to the Sandy Historical Society Museum is like stepping back in time. https://www.sandyhistory.com/museum