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.

• Eleanor Roosevelt Farm Women’s Club minutes from 1938 to 1946
  Posted on Thursday July 09, 2020
  The Eleanor Roosevelt Farm Women’s Club was the first women’s club established at Arthurdale after its founding.  The women of Arthurdale held important roles and organized several committees such as the school committee and the weavers’ room as actions of civic engagement. It was through through these committees and clubs that homesteader women contributed to their new community and made their voices heard on a similar level to those being heard from the all-male Homesteader’s Club. By contributing to civic read more The post Eleanor Roosevelt Farm Women’s Club minutes from 1938 to 1946 appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Take Out Creamed Chicken and Biscuits Lunch
  Posted on Friday July 03, 2020
  Our last take-out dinner was so successful, we’re doing it again! Support Arthurdale Heritage while enjoying a delicious homemade meal, Sunday July 12th. The meal includes creamed chicken over biscuits, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a dessert. It can be picked up anytime from 11am-2pm. Adult tickets are $10, and children are $5. This dinner is a take-out only dinner. Volunteers will be wearing masks, gloves, and taking all the necessary steps to remain clean and safe. As you arrive read more The post Take Out Creamed Chicken and Biscuits Lunch appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Betty Jo Bonnett Atkins passed away
  Posted on Friday July 03, 2020
  We have sad news to share. On June 23, Betty Jo Bonnett Atkins passed away at age 89, daughter of Robert and Iva Bonnett. Her brother, Claude Bonnette, was an original homesteader in Arthurdale on Lot B-5, and Betty Jo graduated from Arthurdale High School. She is remembered for her caring spirit, her love of animals, and her love of travel, which took her to four different continents. She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years read more The post Betty Jo Bonnett Atkins passed away appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Join the Arthurdale Heritage Bandwagon!
  Posted on Thursday July 02, 2020
  We are so grateful to Dave and Marilee Hall for their generous donation. If you are able to take the pledge with them, please visit www.arthurdaleheritage.org/giving to ensure that Arthurdale’s unique stories will continue to be preserved and shared. The post Join the Arthurdale Heritage Bandwagon! appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• AHI Closed for the Fourth of July
  Posted on Monday June 29, 2020
  Arthurdale Heritage will be closed on Saturday, July 4th, in observance of the holiday.  We will reopen on Sunday, July 5th, with our usual tour hours, 1-5pm.  Have a great holiday and weekend! The post AHI Closed for the Fourth of July appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Arthurdale Heritage Playground Project
  Posted on Friday June 26, 2020
  We have an exciting new project in the works here at AHI and we want your input! AHI is thinking of ways to engage with children not only in Arthurdale, but in the greater Preston and Monongalia Counties. We are seeking the community’s view on the building of a playground at our site which would have educational components and be appropriately themed to reflect the unique story of Arthurdale and its homesteaders. Please fill out this short survey to let read more The post Arthurdale Heritage Playground Project appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• 2020 Virtual Goat Gallop Results are in!
  Posted on Tuesday June 23, 2020
  Thank you to all who participated in this year’s virtual Goat Gallop! Results are attached below. Overall Female – Walk Caldwell Cathy Overall Male – Walk Kelch Jeremy Overall Female – Run Reynolds Suzanne Overall Male – Run Cerbone Lowell 11-14 Female Run Funk Madeline 30-39 Female Walk Kelch Lisa 40-49 Male Run Funk Sheldon 40-49 Female Run Tracey Amanda 40-49 Female Walk Bolyard Melissa 50-59 Female Run Durham Emma 60-69 Female Walk Lambert Diane 60-69 Male Walk Lambert Mike read more The post 2020 Virtual Goat Gallop Results are in! appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• 2020 New Deal Festival Cancelled
  Posted on Wednesday June 17, 2020
  We have sad but necessary news to share with you all. After much thought, we have decided to cancel our 2020 New Deal Festival in order to keep our community safe. The New Deal Festival is our favorite event every year, as we get to reconnect with those that have moved away and celebrate the story and community of Arthurdale. We apologize for any inconvenience, but know that we are all eager to celebrate with everyone again in 2021. The post 2020 New Deal Festival Cancelled appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Father’s Day Carry Out Spaghetti Lunch
  Posted on Wednesday June 10, 2020
  Mama Mia!  Arthurdale Heritage will be offering a Take-Out only spaghetti lunch on Sunday, June 21st.  Treat your dad to a delicious spaghetti dinner featuring the legendary Belmaggio’s secret family recipe! Arthurdale residents still rave about Mrs. Belmaggio’s mouthwatering spaghetti and meatballs. Adult meal includes spaghetti, 2 meatballs, garlic bread, salad and dessert. Child’s meal includes the smaller portion of spaghetti and 1 meatball. Hours 11-2 or until food runs out. Advance tickets suggested. Adult tickets $10; children $5. This read more The post Father’s Day Carry Out Spaghetti Lunch appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Construction Begins at Arthurdale
  Posted on Friday May 29, 2020
  Urgently needed repairs were finally able to begin thanks to YOUR generous support! YOU helped us raise $25,000 to make this project a reality. Total project cost is almost $50,000! Your support combined with 50% matching “federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, and administered by by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History” has made this preservation possible. Thank you so very much!! #ThisPlaceMatters #ArthurdaleHeritage #EleanorRoosevelt #NewDealCommunity Operations continue here as we work read more The post Construction Begins at Arthurdale appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »