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Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA) (1889-2009)

 Organization

Dates

  • Usage: 1889 - 2009
  • Usage: 1889 - 2009
  • Usage: 1889 - 2009

Historical Note

Founded in 1889, the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA) has twenty branches which own and maintain historic properties. In November 1958 the APVA authorized the organization of the Montgomery County branch for the specific purpose of acquiring and restoring Smithfield Plantation, the historic home near Blacksburg in Montgomery County, Virginia, built by William Preston in 1773. In 1959 Mrs. Janie Preston Brockenbrough Lamb, a descendant of Preston, donated Smithfield and 4.5 acres of land to the APVA. Restoration of the building was begun in 1962 when the APVA's Montgomery County Branch raised the funds for renovation and contracted with architects and contractors. In 2009, the name was changed to Preservation Virgina.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, Montgomery County Branch Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1962-001
Abstract

The records largely document the recent history of Smithfield Plantation, ancestral home of the Preston family, focusing particularly on its restoration beginning in 1962. While much of the renovation occurred in the 1960s, many of the records detail other renovation projects done in the 1970s and 1980s. The collection also includes historical and other related documents dating from before the original Preston family's residence at Smithfield.

Dates: 1754 - 1996; Majority of material found within 1958 - 1983

Roller Valley Mill [Craig County, Virginia] Scrapbook

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1986-019
Abstract

The Roller Valley Mill [Craig County, Virginia] Scrapbook contains a handwritten survey of the abandoned flour mill done for the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (Montgomery County Branch).

Dates: 1986