Revisit the 1930s in Arthurdale, West Virginia! Established in 1933, 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.” Today, Arthurdale is a National Historic District that maintains 160 of the 165 original homesteads.
HOURS
May 1 - October 31
Monday - Saturday
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
November 1 - April 30
Monday - Friday
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
ADMISSION
Adults (18+): $12
Children (10-17): $6
Children Under 10: Free
On your guided tour of Arthurdale, you will:
- Walk through the Administration Building, which once housed all government offices and now contains the bulk of our museum. Learn about the Arthurdale Experiment from start-to-finish and what life was like for homesteaders!
- 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!
- Walk through historic garage bays which house our new exhibit Factories in the Fields: an Experiment in Agriculture & Rural Industry and two historic Co-op tractors that have been lovingly preserved. This exhibit explores the intersection of subsistence agriculture and rural industry in the Arthurdale community and features fun interactive elements for all ages!
- 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.
- Explore our museum house, E-15, which is decorated as it was in the 1930s! Imagine living in a home like this as you walk through the kitchen, living room, and two bedrooms. 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!
Guided tours are offered year round. Our hours are
May - October, Monday-Saturday from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
November - April, Monday-Friday from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
Guided tours are available daily at 10 AM, 11:30 AM, 1 PM, and 2:30 PM.
Each tour is approximately one hour 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 to make arrangements as we may need additional guides. There is a discounted group rate of $8 per person. Lunch can be provided for an additional cost.
Individual AHI membership: 1 free adult
Household AHI 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
Arthurdale heritage is a proud participant of Museums for All, offering $0 admission to those who qualify for SNAP/EBT benefits. Click here to learn more and please present your SNAP/EBT card upon arrival to receive this discount.
Arthurdale Heritage is also a proud participant of WVAM’s Museums of the Mountain State program. With this pass visitors can receive 10% off Arthurdale’s museum tour and 10% off in our Craft Shop! Click here to learn more and get your own pass!
We are located at
18 Q Rd.
Arthurdale, WV 26520
For a full list of FAQs please visit our FAQs page by clicking here.
We love to welcome school groups to visit Arthurdale!
At our New Deal Museum, students will learn about life during the Great Depression and how the New Deal and the creation of New Deal Homestead Communities, like Arthurdale, impacted the lives of West Virginians.
If you would like to bring your class to our museum, please contact us to reserve a date and time! We recommend that you allow up to 2 hours for your tour.
Teachers! Make sure to download a learning outcomes worksheet for your reference. We can't wait to host you and your class!
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Arthurdale Heritage needs your help! With your support, we can continue to provide valuable community and educational efforts. We sincerely appreciate any assistance you can provide.
