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From an 18th Century home (Bacon's Castle) to a tour of an authentic smokehouse (Darden's Country Store), you can truly experience the story of Virginia's pork and peanut and meet the people who keep that tradition alive. Check out our itinerary page for ideas on both a day-trip and weekend visit along the Salty Southern Route.
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CITY OF FRANKLIN & SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY
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Southampton Agriculture & Forestry Museum - Franklin/Southampton26135 Heritage Lane, Courtland, VA 23837, 757.653.9554
The Southampton Heritage Village/Agriculture & Forestry Museum is dedicated to preserving antique farm equipment, hand tools and rural wares used "way back when." Located on 10 acres of land, visitors enjoy indoor and outdoor displays and exhibits of more than 6,000 items, many of which are 200+ years old. The Heritage Village includes a 1950's Country Store, a one-room school house, country dwelling, 4-seater outhouse and more. Please be sure to call ahead before your visit as the hours of this attraction are limited and vary seasonally. |
SMITHFIELD & ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY
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The Arts Center @ 319 - Smithfield319 Main Street, Smithfield, 757.357.7707
Sharing space with the Smithfield Visitor Center, the Arts Center exhibits the works of local and regional artists in multiple shows throughout the year. The Arts Center also hosts working studios for eight resident artists, a gift shop that features creations by its member artists and an arts classroom. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the resident artists as new works are being created. |
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Darden's Country Store & Smokehouse - Smithfield16249 Bowling Green Road, Smithfield, 757.357.6791
This classic country store and smokehouse has been in operation since 1952 and is still run as a family business. Visitors and shoppers can peruse hanging hams, side meat, country cheese, barbecue and peanuts. Call ahead, and if the Darden's are available, they will give you a tour of their smokehouse where they have been salt-curing and smoking hams for over 60 years, using the same method that's been around since the colonial era. |
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Historic Downtown Walking Tour - SmithfieldMap & brochure available at the Smithfield Visitor Center at 319 Main Street, Smithfield, 757.357.5182 or 800.365.9339
The Genuine Smithfield Walking Tour of the town's historic downtown district boasts over 50 buildings of exceptional architectural importance, exuding the charm and graciousness of bygone eras. Several of the homes are listed on the National Registry. Stop by or call the Visitor Center for a map for this self-guided tour, or (with three weeks notice, please) a guided tour can be arranged. Call the Visitor Center for details. |
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Isle of Wight County Museum - Smithfield103 Main Street, Smithfield, 757.356.1223
Interpreting local history, the museum's exhibits include prehistoric fossils, the Civil War, Native American and Colonial artifacts, a country store and the museum's most notable artifact - the world's oldest, edible cured ham. The 1902 pork product exemplifies the patented Smithfield curing process. The museum also features a life-size replication of a smokehouse. Stop by the Isle of Wight Museum and wave hello to family and friends at home via the HAM CAM - a live video stream from the World's Oldest Ham. |
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Porcine Parade - SmithfieldMap & brochure available at the Smithfield Visitor Center at 319 Main Street, Smithfield, 757.357.5182 or 800.365.9339
Smithfield is proud to present eight life-size statues of market hogs, painted by local artists to reflect an aspect of the town’s rich history, culture & recreation. These unique statues celebrate the best known symbol of the “Ham Capital of the World” and memorialize the agricultural roots and cultural history of the Town of Smithfield. Pick up a map and brochure at the Visitor Center and stroll through lovely downtown Smithfield to find and enjoy each work of art. |
CITY OF SUFFOLK
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Character Corner - SuffolkThe corner of Main & Washington Streets in downtown Suffolk
Mr. Peanut was "born" in 1916 and was the creation of a 14-year-old Suffolk boy who submitted the winning entry in a Planters logo contest. An artist later added the top hat, cane and monocle. September 1991 marked the 75th anniversary year of the Planters Lifesavers Company's famous Mr. Peanut trademark character. To celebrate, the company placed Mr. Peanut in downtown Suffolk's "Character Corner" to recognize local businesses who exemplify the true character of active and successful partnerships between businesses and local schools. Each segment in the Character Corner symbolizes a partnerships success story. |
SURRY COUNTY
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Bacon's Castle - Surry465 Bacon's Castle Trail (Route 617), Surry, 757.357.5976
The Castle, or Arthur Allen’s Brick House, (named after Arthur Allen, who built the structure in 1665) is the only surviving example of Jacobean architecture in North America and the oldest existing brick dwelling in Virginia. Its name is derived from the fortified role it played in Bacon's Rebellion. The 17th century garden may be the earliest found in North America. Operated by Preservation Virginia, the site also offers a gift shop. Bacon's Castle holds seasonal hours, so call ahead before visiting. |
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Chippokes Farm State Park & Forestry Museum - Surry868 Plantation Road, Surry, 757.294.3439
Chippokes Plantation is one of the oldest working farms in the United States. The Museum exhibits, on display in a series of farm buildings, represent various stages of farm life. Visitors may tour the historic area with its antebellum mansion and outbuildings, and stroll through formal gardens. The museum and house tours are seasonal operations, so call ahead before you plan your visit. Chippokes is also a state park offering a campground and four overnight cottages, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a beautiful river beach, and a visitor center with a gift shop. |
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Downtown Franklin Visitor Center
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Smithfield Visitor Center
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Suffolk Visitor Center
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Surry Visitor Center
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Additional Salty Southern Route Attractions - These attractions have limited, seasonal hours or are not open for tours.
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Turtle Creek Farm (Southampton/Franklin)
29164 Three Bees Road, Newsoms, VA 757.653.6488 (open seasonally) Smithfield Food Corporate Headquarters (Smithfield) 200 Commerce Street, Smithfield (drive-by tours only) Windhaven Farms (Smithfield) 17381 Pope Swamp Trail, Windsor 757.209.1095 (open seasonally) |
Birdsong Peanut Factory (Suffolk)
311 Factory St, Suffolk 757.539.4151 (drive-by tours only) Planter's Peanuts (Suffolk) 245 Culloden Street Suffolk (drive-by tours only) College Run Farms (Surry) 2051 Alliance Rd, Surry 757.294.3970 (open seasonally) |
Drewry Farms (Surry)
541 Strawberry Lane, Wakefield 757.899.3636 (open seasonally) Red Barn Berkshires (Surry) 10799 Rolfe Highway, Elberon 757.377.4586 (open seasonally) Wakefield Peanuts (Surry) 11253 General Mahone Hwy, Wakefield 757.899.5481 (limited tour availability - call ahead) |
