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.

• Closed for Thanksgiving
  Posted on Thursday November 18, 2021
  Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. will be closed Monday, November 22 to Friday, November 26. During this time, we will not only give thanks but will be preparing for the upcoming Smithsonian exhibit, “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” that is coming to Arthurdale on December 13th. PS: We will reopen on Saturday, November 27th. Come visit us and shop local on Small Business Saturday from 10-3! The post Closed for Thanksgiving appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Homesteader Descendent Profile: Terry Day
  Posted on Monday November 08, 2021
  Terry Day’s father, Robert, “Bob,”  Day, called Arthurdale “Utopia.”  For Terry Day, a homesteader descendent on both sides of his family, growing up in Arthurdale was a treasure that he did not fully appreciate until years later.  Both sets of Terry’s grandparents, the Rebers and the Days, were original homesteaders who came to Arthurdale in the 1930’s.   I spoke with Terry via Zoom to find out what it was like growing up in “Eleanor’s Little Village.”   More than read more The post Homesteader Descendent Profile: Terry Day appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Crossroads, Marginalized Voices, and Other New Projects at AHI
  Posted on Monday October 18, 2021
  By Kendyl Bostic and Claire Tryon If you have been on the Arthurdale Heritage Facebook page lately, you may have noticed that we have a lot going on here.  From our children’s art classes to the Appalachia on Screen movie nights to weaving classes and the reorganization of our craft shop, we have a lot that we’re excited about.  One of the biggest contributors to all of this is our partnership with the Smithsonian Museums through their travelling exhibit Crossroads: read more The post Crossroads, Marginalized Voices, and Other New Projects at AHI appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Preservation of Center Hall Continues
  Posted on Thursday October 14, 2021
  Our wonderful community is blessed for so many reasons. One is the strength of support for its nationally important historic buildings. We appreciate each and every donation; large or small and every volunteer. We appreciate the National Park Service and the WV State Historic Preservation Office for their partial funding of the replacement of siding on the back of our beautiful Hall. The post Preservation of Center Hall Continues appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Craft Show and Square Dance October 23!
  Posted on Tuesday October 12, 2021
  Join us on October 23rd to shop at the Craft Show and join us in the free Community Square Dance! There will be fun for all ages with games for kids to participate in during Craft Show hours and live music for the Square Dance! Craft show, fiber art and blacksmithing demonstrations are from 9-3. Kids activities are from 11-2. Community square dance is from 4-6 pm. Be like Mrs. Roosevelt and dance in our historic Center Hall! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDMc_1vBd24 The post Craft Show and Square Dance October 23! appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Closed for maintenance
  Posted on Thursday July 22, 2021
  Arthurdale Heritage museum will be closed to tours on Friday, July 23rd, 2021. During this time we will be doing some much-needed maintenance work. We apologize for any inconvenience, but please visit us at a later date! We are open Monday thru Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. To be guaranteed a tour please call ahead at 304-864-3959 or email us at americorps@arthurdaleheritage.org The post Closed for maintenance appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Father’s Day Spaghetti Dinner
  Posted on Thursday June 03, 2021
  Treat your dad (or yourself) to a delicious spaghetti dinner. Arthurdale residents still rave about Mrs. Belmaggio’s mouthwatering spaghetti and meatballs. Meals include spaghetti with homemade meatballs in Mrs. Belmaggio’s legendary sauce plus garlic bread, salad, and dessert! Child’s meal includes a smaller portion of spaghetti with 1 meatball and dessert. Dinner is $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Pick up hours are 11-1:30. Order in our store or call us at 304-864-3959. Reserve your meal early because we read more The post Father’s Day Spaghetti Dinner appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Spring Fling Craft Show!
  Posted on Monday May 10, 2021
  Celebrate Spring’s arrival with the outdoor Spring Fling Craft Show featuring WV artisans and their HANDMADE goods. Visit historic Arthurdale on Saturday, May 15th to shake the winter blues and shop locally made treasures. Free admission and free parking. Delicious homemade food available. Featured below is a sneak peak of some of the goods that will available at the craft show! We’re excited to see you there! The post Spring Fling Craft Show! appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Baby Goat Yoga Update
  Posted on Thursday May 06, 2021
  Baby Goat Yoga on Saturday May 8th will be held inside the historic Center Hall due to inclement weather! For any questions call us at 304-864-3959 or email us americorps@arthurdaleheritage.org The post Baby Goat Yoga Update appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Meals still available! Mother’s Day Takeout Ham Dinner
  Posted on Thursday April 29, 2021
  We are excited to serve a ham dinner for Mother’s Day, May 9th! Each meal will include ham, cheesy potatoes, baked beans, roll, coleslaw and dessert. Meals are $10 for adults and $5 for children 5 and younger. Order online at https://arthurdaleheritage.org/…/mothers-day-takeout…/ or call 304-864-3959. The post Meals still available! Mother’s Day Takeout Ham Dinner appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »