By the mid 18th century, a rising tide of Scotch-Irish, German and some English settlers was arriving in the Virginia backcountry by traveling down the Great Wagon Road from Pennsylvania or eastern settlements. On the eve of the American Revolution they had begun to fill up the New River Country and further westward along the Wilderness Road in the wake of explorers including Daniel Boon-a visitor at Smithfield. The following program helps you understand who they were.

Into the Backcountry

Special thanks to the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia for permission to use this video. Click here to learn more about this amazing living history museum in western Virginia.