Visit America’s first New Deal Homestead Community
On Saturday, September 25, 2010, Arthurdale Heritage will participate in Smithsonian magazine’s 6th annual Museum Day. A celebration of culture, learning and the dissemination of knowledge, Smithsonian’s Museum Day emulates the free-admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, DC-based properties. Doors will be open free of charge to Smithsonian magazine readers and Smithsonian.com visitors at museums and cultural institutions nationwide.
“We are pleased to join with hundreds of museums in celebrating Museum Day by extending our hours from 9am to 4pm and offering free admission with a Smithsonian ticket,†said Jeanne Goodman, Executive Director of Arthurdale Heritage. “This is the perfect opportunity for us to showcase Arthurdale and its important part in America’s history.â€
Arthurdale, the nation’s first New Deal subsistence homestead community, was established in 1933. It provided a new chance at life for residents of North Central West Virginia who were suffering from the effects of the great depression. Today, the community is a National Historic District.
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt served as the empathetic force behind the project, was concerned with the families, and often visited the community.
This multi-building museum illustrates the story of Arthurdale as a New Deal Homestead. There is a forge filled with original tools, a service station reminiscent of a bygone era, historic Center Hall, the original federal government administration building, and a fully restored Arthurdale homestead.
Visit www.smithsonian.com/museumday to download your Museum Day Admission Card. Attendees must present the Museum Day Admission Card to gain free entry. Each card provides museum access for two people, and one admission card is permitted per household.
For more information on Arthurdale and for driving directions, see “Visit Arthurdale.”
