Kit Homes?

04 Apr 23:

A couple of homes on Main Street, kit homes possibly. There are two more across the street that are of the same design.

And next door, one that is a bit older. Note the cellar windows, most likely a root cellar.

Shakespeare

 04 Apr 23:

One of our local art celebrities.

Steamboats and Schooners

 04 Apr 23:

In the good old days, steamboats and schooners used to visit the waterfront. We hope to learn more about the ships and small boats that helped this area grow.

Powhatan Fleur Map

 02 Apr 23:

The Powhatan Flu, now called the James River. Smithfield was the home of the Warrasquoyake until English "settled" the area. Now we can't seem to find them. Did they disappear or are they hiding? We're on the trail.

The Warrasquoyake were here long enough to have one of the 8 English Shires named for them, but about 30 years leater it was changed to Isle of Wight.

Hayden Lane Brick Walk Patrons

 02 Apr 23:

Ben Franklin Bronze

02 Apr 23:

One of the sights in Smithfield, plus 3 others. New theater stage going in in the background.

Smithfield Foods Red Barn

 02 Apr 23:

To some it's just an old red barn, owned by Smithfield Foods and used for storage decades ago. Today it is a hazard due to a rotting false floor and leaky roof, among other issues. CUrrently located behind the Smithfield Inn, its future is being discussed. 

We looked it over, it does need repair but with the pandemic induced inflationary price of materials, it could be economically repaired. We'd hope that the repair would be taken a step further to repurpose the structure into a multi use event-training-museum space. But it's not our money or our building.

In the meantime we took measurements and photos in case that will be the only record of it. At a minimum, there is a lot of good lumber there that could be salvaged, or the structure could be rebuilt elsewhere ala Barnwood Builders.

We think it would make a good small boat chandlery and boat shop :) Only a block from the waterfront.