THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 17, 1995 TAG: 9505160146
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA McNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Virginia's first lady, Susan Allen, got a sneak peek last week at what could become one of Smithfield's leading tourist attractions.
Sykes' Inn, a pre-Revolutionary bed-and-breakfast on Main Street, once attracted celebrities from across the United States. When it was run several years ago as a family-style restaurant, it was a favorite of yet another first lady - Lady Bird Johnson, wife of former President Lyndon Johnson.
It took a visit from Allen to open the recently refurbished building for a special luncheon to celebrate locally the kickoff of Virginia Heritage Tourism Weeks. An official re-opening date for what will now be known as the ``Smithfield Inn'' still has not been announced.
Allen started in Lexington to kick off a statewide tour of communities celebrating Heritage Weeks, April 30-May 14. The two-week statewide event celebrates Virginia's historic sites, villages, towns and neighborhoods. The stop for lunch in Smithfield came after a tour of Chippokes Plantation in Surry County.
``Tourism is a driving force in our economy, and it is important to support the continued growth and interest in this important industry,'' Allen said. ``Virginia's rich tradition of history and breathtaking beauty draws more than 50 million visitors every year.''
At a rally at the 1750 Courthouse and local visitors' center on Main Street, Allen spoke to a small crowd of local officials and residents who came to see the first lady.
``It's this type of Southern hospitality in Smithfield that keeps people coming back,'' she said. ``We're the only state to promote tourism this way, and it's our historic resources and our festivals and events that bring people to Virginia and to places like this.''
After lunch, Allen got a taste of local history to keep for her very own when she was presented a copy of local historian Helen Haverty King's book on Isle of Wight County history.
She appreciated the book, she said, and she had another comment, about lunch:
``Real ham, like no other place in the world. Keep up the great work here.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by LINDA McNATT
Sykes' Inn, a pre-Revolutionary bed-and-breakfast on Main Street,
once attracted celebrities.
Photo
Susan Allen
by CNB