New Deal Homestead Museum Tour in Arthurdale, WV

Revisit the Great Depression on a guided tour of the nation’s first New Deal Homestead Community. Established by the United States government in 1933, Arthurdale offered a new start to West Virginians struggling through the Depression.

• Learn how President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation shaped the community
• Discover Eleanor Roosevelt’s role as a driving force behind Arthurdale
• Explore the history of a National Historic District retaining 160 of its 165 original homesteads

Itinerary

• 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!

Important details

• Bring appropriate identification for military/veteran or college student admission
• Preston County student admission is for students in kindergarten through 12th grade
• Show your membership card on arrival for Arthurdale Heritage member admission
• Show your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card on arrival for Museums for All admission