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.

• AHI featured on WBOY’s Roaming West Virginia
  Posted on Wednesday April 24, 2019
  Last Saturday morning, a man stumbled upon Arthurdale Heritage. He said he had just spent the day driving around Preston County, looking for unique things to feature on Roaming West Virginia. He was pleasantly surprised to discover Arthurdale! Check out the article and video here! “You can certainly make a day out of it, or a whole weekend out of it. This is just a small portion of what this part of West Virginia has to offer. “ The post AHI featured on WBOY’s Roaming West Virginia appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Why Join AmeriCorps at AHI
  Posted on Monday April 22, 2019
  Why join AmeriCorps at Arthurdale Heritage? After graduating from WVU last year with a degree in International Studies, I decided to take an AFHA AmeriCorps position at Arthurdale Heritage. My year of service here has been incredible. It’s not only a great resume booster, but also the perfect transition from college to a career. Thanks to the meaningful work we do here, I have learned so many new skills and can now market myself in so many different directions. I’ve ... read more The post Why Join AmeriCorps at AHI appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• New donations for our collections
  Posted on Thursday April 18, 2019
  A BIG thank you to Tom Belmaggio for donating two photos, three reflectors, and two sets of post office boxes!! The reflectors were made in the forge and had come from Wagner house U3. The post office boxes are from the original post office, which was a part of our Center Hall complex, located right next to the Craft Shop. It is so neat to have these items back here to display! The post office likely moved to its current ... read more The post New donations for our collections appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• You’re invited to Mr. Moran’s 100th birthday celebration!
  Posted on Monday April 15, 2019
  Long-time Arthurdale resident Lawrence K. Moran will be 100 years old on Saturday, April 20! His family is hosting a celebratory reception for friends and neighbors at our historic Center Hall from 2-4 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 21. Mr. Moran was born on an Easter Sunday, April 20, 1919. He has lived in Arthurdale for nearly 74 years and raised his family of four children here. Many residents will remember him as the person they called each year to ... read more The post You’re invited to Mr. Moran’s 100th birthday celebration! appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Rep. McKinley visits Arthurdale!
  Posted on Tuesday April 02, 2019
  Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. was honored to host Rep. McKinley, his wife Mary, and 14 staff members to celebrate our 18 county area being designated as the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area (AFNHA). Years of hard work and dogged determination by Rep. McKinley and members of AFNHA paid off and will bring a vast array of new opportunities to the area. This is a huge plus for regional tourism! To see the video of Rep. McKinley’s visit: https://www.facebook.com/RepMcKinley/videos/440556530022926/ The post Rep. McKinley visits Arthurdale! appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Community Yard Sale 2019
  Posted on Monday March 25, 2019
  The annual Arthurdale Community Yard Sale is Saturday May 11! Drive around historic Arthurdale and stop at the many houses that will be selling all sorts of treasures. Free maps with a list of sellers will be available outside the Visitors Center on Saturday morning. Want to add your house to our map? The deadline is Friday April 27 at noon. Registration is FREE! Call the office or email ahi@arthurdaleheritage.org with any questions. Add your listing to the online form at your convenience ... read more The post Community Yard Sale 2019 appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Bring along your luck! Annual Raffle & Elimination Dinner on April 27th
  Posted on Monday March 25, 2019
  Enjoy a night with your friends and win big! $35 for dinner and a chance to win 1 of 13 cash prizes totaling over $2100, plus 12 hidden prizes on the board. Auctions, 50/50s, and other games of chance will help increase your odds. You have a 1 in 10 shot of winning! Winner does NOT need to be present to win! The Masontown Fire Hall doors open at 5pm and dinner begins at 6pm. There are a limited number ... read more The post Bring along your luck! Annual Raffle & Elimination Dinner on April 27th appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• 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 »