Tours

Visit Arthurdale!

Revisit the 1930s in Arthurdale, West Virginia. Established in 1933, by the United States government, Arthurdale is the nation’s first New Deal Homestead Community. Created through President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation, the community provided a new chance at life for residents of West Virginia who were suffering from the Great Depression. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt served as the empathetic force behind the community, which became known as “Eleanor’s Little Village” because of her interest. Today, Arthurdale is a National Historic District that features 160 of 165 original homesteads.

On your guided tour of Arthurdale you will:

  • Walk through the Administration Building, which once housed all of the government offices and now contains the bulk of our museum.  Learn about the Arthurdale Experiment from start-to-finish, including what life was like here!
  • Visit the Forge where blacksmiths worked to make metal for the town.  During special events like the New Deal Festival, blacksmiths continue to work here!
  • See two historic Co-op tractors that have been lovingly preserved and are stored in our garage bays.
  • Stop by the Esso Station for a view of the town and other important buildings like the former Arthurdale Inn
  • Visit Center Hall where Eleanor Roosevelt once danced and where town business was conducted.  Special exhibits are sometimes on display in Center Hall.
  • Explore our museum house, E-15, which is decorated as it was in the 1930s!  You will see the kitchen, living room, and two bedrooms as you imagine living in a house like this.  As a treat at the end of your tour, you can visit our homestead goats!

Tours begin and end at the Craft Shop where you can purchase a souvenir handmade item from a local West Virginia artisan!

Craft Shop and Tour Hours

May - October:
Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

November - April:
Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Tour Times:

  • 10:00 am
  • 11:30 am
  • 1:00 pm
  • 2:30 pm

We are now booking tours online.

Our EV charging units are free to use and are located near the Esso Station on Rt. 92
Our EV charging units are free to use and are located near the Esso Station on Rt. 92

Planning for Your Tour

  • Guided tours are offered year round.  Our hours are
    • May - October, Monday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    • November - April, Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • Guided tours begin every hour and a half.  The first tour begins at 10:00 a.m.  The last tour begins at 2:30 p.m.
  • Each tour is approximately one hour, with time allowed for questions, and is led by a trained guide.
  • You can purchase tickets in advance on our website or buy them in person in the Craft Shop.
  • A portion of the tour takes place outdoors, so please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear.
  • For groups of more than 10 people, we ask that you contact us (ahi@arthurdaleheritage.org) to make arrangements as we may need additional guides to accommodate large groups.  There is a discounted group rate of $8 per person.  Lunch can be provided for an additional cost.
  • Please review our FAQ page for accessibility information and Contact Us with any concerns or questions.

Museum Admission

  • Adults (18+): $12
  • Children (10-17): $6
  • Children Under 10: Free

Discounts

  • AHI member: Free (individual membership=1 free adult; household membership=2 free adults + children under age of 18)
  • Seniors: $10
  • Military & Veterans: $10
  • College Students with ID: $8
  • Preston County K-12 Students: Free
  • Discounts for pre-scheduled groups of 10+ : $8
Museums for All, an initiative of the Intitute for Museums and Library Services
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Arthurdale Heritage is a proud participant of Museums for All, an initiative that strives to make museums more accessible for everyone. Arthurdale Heritage offers a $0 admission cost for groups of up to four guests eligible by receiving EBT/SNAP benefits. Please present your SNAP/EBT card upon arrival to receive this discount

 

 

Arthurdale Heritage proudly participates in West Virginia Association of Museum’s “Museums of the Mountain State” program. This means that visitors who have a “Museums of the Mountain State” pass can receive 10% off museum tours at Arthurdale Heritage as well as 10% off in our Craft Shop! Click here to learn more about how you can get your own “Museums of the Mountain State” pass and check out the many other WV institutions who are participating in this program.