This year’s state project for the Virginia Society Children of the American Revolution is Race to Smithfield. The state project is using the framework of the Pixar’s movie Cars to contextualize the history of Historic Smithfield in Blacksburg, VA. In the colonial era, Smithfield served as a logistical hub on the Eastern Divide and the Western Frontier. In 1775, Colonel William Preston was the “Crew Chief” and lead surveyor of the region. Leading the front in the mountains during the Revolution, along with the Mountain Warriors, they secured the Chiswell mines and kept the ammunition supply safe from the hands of the Red Coats.

 

Historic Smithfield serves a gateway to the frontier, preserving the Preston family legacy, the history of the Mountain Warriors and the ideals of the Fincastle Resolutions. With a goal of $15,000 , 100% of the proceeds will directly support Historic Smithfield to acquire items, such as time-accurate clothing, time-accurate home items, and black-powder flintlock firearms, to enhance the living learning history portion of Historic Smithfield.

 

To drive engagement, bimonthly educational programs will be published, tracking a metaphorical race leading to Historic Smithfield while profiling Will Preston and prominent frontier militia figures. For memorabilia, shirts, pins, and challenge coins are for sale. For the shirts, they are sporting the colors of Virginia Tech, maroon and burnt orange. The pins are sporting the logo for the state project this year, two cars on the road to Smithfield. And lastly, the coins will commemorate the celebration of 250 years of our great nation and the 100th year celebration of Virginia Society Children of the American Revolution.

 

Christopher Hopkins, VSCAR State President