Smithfield has many of the charms associated with Hampton Roads communities, including 18th & 19th Century architecture, a revitalized historic downtown, and all the character of a former colonial seaport. According to the Virginia Landmarks Register, Smithfield is "perhaps the best preserved of Virginia's Colonial seaports."

Located in Isle of Wight County, Smithfield has a population of approximately 7,000 (2000 Census population - 6,324) and is approximately 10.1 square miles in size. Smithfield offers residents a small-town atmosphere, a good school system, affordable housing, a historic downtown, and a new state-of-the-art community/conference center - The Smithfield Center. According to the Virginia Review, Smithfield is "without a doubt, one of the prettiest towns in Virginia."

Nurtured by trade and commerce, Smithfield soon became a town of industry with four plants devoted to the art of curing the world famous "Smithfield Ham". Once a commercial center for shipping, Smithfield has evolved to host one of the area's largest meat-processing industries as well as the home to one of Hampton Roads' largest employers - Smithfield Foods, Inc. - a Fortune 500 company with its corporate headquarters in Smithfield. Smithfield was just recently named "one of the 50 best small southern towns".

On March 18, 2004 in Washington, D.C., the Town of Smithfield was one of 20 communities in the United States that was designated a Preserve America Community. Smithfield Mayor James B. Chapman and Town Manager Peter M. Stephenson received a certificate of designation signed by First Lady Mrs. Laura Bush designating the Town of Smithfield as a Preserve America Community. The Preserve America initiative is a new White House effort to encourage and support community efforts for the preservation and enjoyment of America's priceless cultural and natural heritage.

Town Manager Peter M. Stephenson and Mayor James B. Chapman
accepting the Preserve America Community honor.

(From left to right: John L. Nau, III, Chairman of Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; Town Manager Peter M. Stephenson; Mayor James B. Chapman; Lynn Scarlett, Asst. Secretary of Policy, Management & Budget, Dept. of the Interior; U.S. Representative Brad Miller; and U.S. Representative Michael Turner)

Mayor James B. Chapman accepting the Preserve America Community honor.
(From left to right: Congressman J. Randy Forbes and Mayor James B. Chapman)