Open House at the Historic Hastings House

Although the Town of Smithfield and the Bentonville Battlefield will celebrate the sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary of the War Between the States in March 2015, the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation, in an effort to raise community awareness of the Hastings House's role during the War, will hold an Open House on Saturday, March 10.

From 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., the Hastings House, located at 200 South Front Street in Downtown Smithfield, will be open to the public. “Carolina Citizens,” a local group of living historians who depict how a working middle class family would dress and live in Smithfield in 1865 will be on hand to interact with visitors. Period family fashion, house chores, toys, and related history will be presented.

Olde South Blacksmith will also be on site providing live demonstrations throughout the day. 

The DSDC has already seen an increase in visitors to the Hastings House, many of whom are traveling along the Civil War Trail, as sesquicentennial celebrations are already underway in areas that saw earlier action.

The Hastings House retains much of its original architecture and finishes including decorative molding, windows, and pine floors. A donation from Mrs. Jean Jones allows visitors to view eight giclées by artist John Paul Strain that depict various Civil War era scenes. The DSDC recently commissioned local artist Leslie Macon to create a limited edition giclées of General Johnston standing on the Hastings House porch, which may be viewed and purchased as well.

The DSDC hopes to amass a collection of artifacts and antiques and to promote the Hastings House as a regional and national destination of Civil War history. Of special interest are artifacts that can be attributed to individual soldiers and items with a connection to this area. The DSDC plans to build its collection through temporary exhibit loans from other museums and private collectors and through the donation of artifacts which will become part of a permanent collection.

To learn more about the Hastings House, please call the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation at 919-934-0887 or visit them on the web at www.downtownsmithfield.com.