Origins

In 1975 many residents of Smithfield were looking ahead to 1976 discussing how the Town of Smithfield could form an historical society and open a museum. The plans were discussed with the Town Board which agreed that, since the building in front of the highway department was not being used anymore, it could serve as the museum! The building had served as the school for the Madison County Children’s Home which was in operation from 1871-1926.

For fifty years volunteers have strived to fulfill the mission of the historical society and museum to save and preserve the historic records of Peterboro, Siloam, and surrounding areas. The records include pictures, artifacts, Bibles, deeds, letters, oral stories, books, and other ephemera pertaining to the history of the Town of Smithfield, as well as extensive genealogical family folders and information and images of buildings and former businesses in the town.