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.

• Half a hog benefit auction
  Posted on Friday October 16, 2020
  Support Arthurdale Heritage and stock your freezer at the same time!  Up for your consideration is one half of a prime, locally raised, “Buckwheat Festival” hog ; generously donated to Arthurdale Heritage by Stone Paving.    This fundraising auction starts Sunday, Oct. 18 at noon and ends Oct. 28 precisely at noon. Big early and Bid often! To place your bid, click here: https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/half-a-hog–15687 Questions: ahi@arthurdaleheritage.org or call 304 864 3959 The post Half a hog benefit auction appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• November Homemade Lasagna take out dinner
  Posted on Tuesday October 13, 2020
  Please join Arthurdale Heritage for a homemade lasagna meal on November 8th! Each meal includes lasagna, garlic bread, salad, and dessert for just $10. Pre-order required: https://arthurdaleheritage.org/shop/uncategorized/takeout-lasagna-meal/ Volunteers will be wearing masks, gloves, and taking all the necessary steps to remain clean and safe. As you arrive to Arthurdale to pick-up your meal, volunteers will bring it out to your car for you! If you have questions, please email ahi@arthurdaleheritage.org or call (304) 864-3959.  The post November Homemade Lasagna take out dinner appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• October Steak Hoagie Takeout Dinner
  Posted on Thursday September 24, 2020
  Come and celebrate Eleanor Roosevelt’s birthday with Arthurdale Heritage at our Steak Hoagie Fundraiser Dinner! Meal includes steak hoagie, French fries, cake, ice cream and a drink for only $10. Volunteers will be wearing masks, gloves, and taking all the necessary steps to remain clean and safe. As you arrive to Arthurdale to pick-up your meal, volunteers will bring it out to your car for you! Preorders required. Make sure to reserve your meal ahead of time by purchasing tickets read more The post October Steak Hoagie Takeout Dinner appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• New Rotating Exhibit on Display in AHI
  Posted on Wednesday August 19, 2020
  Be sure to come visit our Center Hall to see a phenomenal exhibit showcasing the photography of Frances Benjamin Johnston, a Grafton-born professional photographer. Johnston was a photographic icon, taking images of decaying buildings, seasonal gardens, and expressive individuals that would soon be lost to time. This traveling exhibit was created by PAWV AmeriCorps member Ksenia Bradner and will be hosted by AHI from 9-5pm until September 10th and is free to the public. See a news release from WV read more The post New Rotating Exhibit on Display in AHI appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Helen Kay “Susie” Mayor Vandergrift passes away
  Posted on Wednesday August 19, 2020
  Arthurdale has lost another homestead child. Helen Kay “Susie” Mayor Vandergrift, daughter of Alex and Rose Mayor, passed in Jacksonville FL last Friday. Born in Arthurdale on September 12, 1936, she grew up in SR-15. A 1953 graduate of AHS, she worked as an accountant for Montgomery Wards in Morgantown and later in Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband Donald, sisters Julia, Mary, and Dorothy plus brothers Mike, George, and Charles. A graveside service will be held read more The post Helen Kay “Susie” Mayor Vandergrift passes away appeared first on Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. Continue Reading »
• Join the Arthurdale Heritage Bandwagon!
  Posted on Wednesday August 19, 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 »
• 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 »
• 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 »