Prior to FDR?s election in 1933, Eleanor became interested in the work of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a Quaker organization which had begun a child feeding program in Pennsylvania and West Virginia at President Hoover?s request. Clarence Pickett, secretary of the AFSC, was invited to Hyde Park, NY, FDR?s home, to discuss the AFSC?s efforts at vocational reeducation and subsistence living projects. FDR, after his 1933 inauguration, promoted a bevy of bills to address the problems of the Depression. One of these was a bill to establish a subsistence homestead fund. This bill interested First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and she, along with Clarence Pickett, who by then had been appointed chief of the Stranded Mining and Industrial Populations Section of the Department of the Interior, became involved with The Reedsville Project.

The Reedsville Project, later named Arthurdale after Richard Arthur, from whom the land was purchased, was begun in 1934 as a homestead community. Land was purchased, residents were selected, homes were constructed, more residents were selected, more homes constructed? until there were 165 homes and several community buildings including a school complex, built on approximately 1200 acres in rural Preston County, WV. Today, most of the community buildings still stand and most are part of the New Deal Homestead Museum.

Many of the new residents were displaced miners from the Scott?s Run area near Morgantown, WV, but some moved here from other areas of Preston County and WV. Some of the homes housed the government employees who were assigned jobs here such as teachers, physicians, surveyors, engineers, secretaries, etc.

The homesteaders themselves were responsible for paying rent, working and farming their allotted acreage, and some were employed to build new homes and the administration building, forge, gas station, cooperative store, craft shop, center hall, and school buildings. Some found work in the schools, post office, barber shop, and the Mountaineer Craftsmen?s Association. Some were hired to work in the numerous business ventures which were enticed to the area.

The federal government liquidated its holdings in Arthurdale in 1947; all homes and community buildings were sold to private ownership. In 1984, the community celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its homesteading. This celebration resulted in the establishment of Arthurdale Heritage, Inc., whose mission is to preserve the historic community of Arthurdale.

• Pampered Chef Benefit Party
  Posted on Tuesday March 05, 2019
  You’re invited to a Cooking Show party! Mark your calendar and invite a friend or two! Get ready to learn recipes and tips to make mealtimes simple and stress-free. Don’t miss out on the fun! Wine, cheese and hor d’oeuvres will be served. All proceeds from this fundraiser will be donated to AHI to help pay for critical repairs to the historic Center Hall. Can’t attend the party? No problem! Start shopping right now online: https://www.pamperedchef.com/party/ArthurdaleHeritageOrders will be processed as ... read more The post Pampered Chef Benefit Party appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• 2019 Cabin Fever Craft Show
  Posted on Monday March 04, 2019
  Spring is on it’s way! Shake the winter blues and join Arthurdale Heritage at the annual Cabin Fever Craft Show on Saturday, March 23 10am-4pm. Browse the handmade goods of the talented West Virigina artists visiting Center Hall and find some treasures to take home. Grab a bite to eat at the free will donation lunch with some favorite recipes like Roger’s Sloppy Joes and Jeanie’s delicious soups plus homemade desserts and more. Visit the administration building for an art ... read more The post 2019 Cabin Fever Craft Show appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Dolores Ryan Art Show
  Posted on Monday March 04, 2019
  Join us Saturday, March 23, 2019 for an exhibition of art of the late Miss Dolores Ryan. A former art teacher and artist, the Preston County native’s body of work displays an exceptional range of mediums and styles. Her art depicts subjects for every art lover, from folk art depictions of Americana, abstract, and natural depictions of Appalachian wildlife. Original artwork will be available for purchase at the AHI Craft Shop and at the show. Free admission to art show ... read more The post Dolores Ryan Art Show appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Closed due to weather
  Posted on Wednesday January 30, 2019
  Due to frigid temperatures, we will be closed Wednesday, Jan, 30 and Thursday, Jan. 31. The post Closed due to weather appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Christmas with Santa 2018 Photos
  Posted on Friday December 28, 2018
  Thanks to the generosity of the Tirekickers car club, Santa came to Arthurdale Heritage again this year and brought every boy and girl a nice gift!  To see all the photos of the evening, please click on this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Jvi_Pek6axFCXJv_7T9F8e5nF998LXSJ?usp=sharing   The post Christmas with Santa 2018 Photos appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Holiday office hours
  Posted on Thursday December 27, 2018
  The post Holiday office hours appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Pottery class—Christmas ornament
  Posted on Saturday November 17, 2018
  Learn how to make your own unique ornaments by using an ancient pottery-making technique, “slab building” that involves creating forms without a pottery wheel, using the hands, fingers, and simple tools. Instructor Susan Ramey of The Arts Council of Preston County has graciously offered to teach one of her popular classes at Arthurdale Heritage! *All materials provided including clay, glaze and firing *Minimum of 4, maximum of 16 students *$40 AHI members, $45 non-members Payment due in advance. This class ... read more The post Pottery class—Christmas ornament appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Help AHI upgrade!
  Posted on Tuesday October 16, 2018
  The visitor center is in need of an iPad Air 2 or 3. If you are going to upgrade or have one you aren’t using, please consider donating it to AHI. All gifts are tax deductible. Monetary donations to support tech can be donated at any time or through our current Facebook fundraiser. Thank you! The post Help AHI upgrade! appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Halloween Spooktacular Stories October 27th
  Posted on Saturday October 13, 2018
  October 27th will come alive with all things that “go bump in the night” as West Virginia Storytelling Guild members gather at the Center Hall in Arthurdale for an evening of spooktacular tales. At 6:00pm on Saturday, Oct. 27, in the great Hall, 5 tellers from across the state will spin a favorite tale from the ghost tale genre, each attempting to “out-tell” the others. The featured tellers for this event are seasoned tellers, all. Stas’ Ziolkowski from Shepherdstown WV ... read more The post Halloween Spooktacular Stories October 27th appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Craft Show and Fall Festival October 13
  Posted on Thursday October 04, 2018
  The 2018 Craft Show and Fall Festival is just around the corner! Join us in Arthurdale on Saturday, October 13 for fun from 10 am – 4 pm. Free parking and admission with something for the whole family! Don’t miss live music with the West Virginia Hitchers playing from 11:30-1:30. Indoor + Outdoor Craft Show with talented WV artisans and handmade goods Hayrides Face painting Kid’s Activities Artisan demonstrations Visit the homestead animals Yummy Homemade food–favorites like Roger’s Sloppy Joe’s ... read more The post Craft Show and Fall Festival October 13 appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »