Preston County History: Fairfax Manor

In collaboration with Preston County History Day activities, the Fairfax Manor is open this Sunday, August 20,  from 2 – 5 pm. The historic home is still a family home and the current owner, Caroline Richmond, will open the historic home for FREE tours on these days.

Built in 1818 during the inception of Preston County, many of the original fittings of the original home are preserved – 9 over 6 and 6 over 6 windows, carved fireplace mantels with center medallions, center hall layout, numerous “old house” features, and great views of the county.

The home has an interesting Arthurdale connection — long before the time of Richard Arthur and Eleanor Roosevelt, the area that became Arthurdale was a plantation owned by Col. John Fairfax family.  Fairfax had served in the Revolutionary War with George Washington and had been an overseer at Mt. Vernon before coming to this area.  Although his stone Georgian stone 2-story home and Kingwood plantation were over 10 miles away, he and his wife are buried in Arthurdale.

Don’t miss the chance to see a unique piece of local history!

The street address is 1358 N. Preston Hwy. (Rt. 26 North of Kingwood, on the right, shortly after Eckert Heating)

2017 New Deal Festival Book available

Each year we publish a festival book where businesses who are AHI supporters buy an ad. Families connected to Arthurdale often remember their relatives and friends in the book. It is full of pictures and stories about early Arthurdalians and those who came after plus Eleanor Roosevelt stories.

This is the cover and a sample page from the 2017 edition. As long as supplies last, we can mail you a copy postpaid for only $5. (If you bought an ad, we mail you a copy for free.) It is also available during business hours in the office. Read the rest of this entry »

Homestead birdhouse raffle

Enter the raffle for a chance to win a homestead birdhouse! Handmade by the talented Terry Wright to look like E-15 and the Arthurdale Wagner homesteads, this birdhouse is a great keepsake for any Arthurdale lover. Raffle tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5, or 15 for $10! More houses will be for sale in the Craft Shop. The drawing will be held Monday July 31. Read the rest of this entry »