Thief Plans to Steal Legendary 120-Year-Old Smithfield Ham

Perpetrator aims to liberate the historic meat from its museum display in Virginia

Mar. 14, 2026 at 1:10pm

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A would-be thief has set their sights on stealing the world's oldest ham, a 120-year-old Smithfield ham on display at the Isle of Wight County Museum in Virginia. The ham, which is under 24-hour livestream surveillance, is the last remaining example of the once-popular cured meat after production ceased in 2024 due to declining demand. The thief believes they can replicate the livestream and bypass the limited security to abscond with the historic ham in time for Easter.

Why it matters

The Smithfield ham is a cherished regional delicacy with a storied history dating back over a century. Its theft would be a significant loss for the local community and a blow to preserving the area's cultural heritage. However, the thief's motivations highlight the ongoing demand for rare and unique culinary experiences, even as traditional food production wanes.

The details

The thief plans to replicate the museum's 24-hour livestream of the ham exhibit using AI technology to bypass the surveillance. They believe the limited foot traffic and lack of extensive security measures will make it relatively easy to enter the museum, remove the ham, and escape undetected.

  • The original Smithfield ham was cured and smoked around 1906.
  • Production of genuine Smithfield Hams ceased in 2024 due to reduced consumer demand.
  • The thief plans to steal the ham in time for Easter.

The players

Isle of Wight County Museum

A small museum in southern Virginia that houses the world's oldest Smithfield ham, a 120-year-old cured and smoked pork product.

Smithfield Hams

A regional delicacy produced in the town of Smithfield, Virginia, using a traditional curing and smoking process. Production of genuine Smithfield Hams ceased in 2024 due to declining consumer demand.

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What’s next

The thief plans to further study the museum's security measures and livestream setup in order to execute a successful heist of the historic Smithfield ham in time for Easter.

The takeaway

This attempted theft highlights the enduring allure of rare and unique culinary experiences, even as traditional food production wanes. However, the theft of cultural heritage artifacts can have significant consequences for local communities, underscoring the need to balance preservation with evolving consumer preferences.