Historic Buildings Open
This is a great opportunity to explore Arthurdale and the New Deal Homestead Museum.
Administration Building
FDR campaign memorabilia from the Fratkin Collection
The Administration Building served as local headquarters for the federal government during its control of Arthurdale. Today the building is the New Deal Homestead Museum’s main building. It houses the bulk of AHI’s artifacts, exhibits, and archives. Right now we have a special exhibit of FDR campaign memorabilia, WWII buttons, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) badges, and much more from the Fratkin Collection.
The Administration Building will be open during the Festival
Forge
Check out blacksmith demonstrations in the Forge
The MCCA Metal Forge housed the blacksmithing and pewter works. This photos shows the building in the 1930s. Today the Forge is still a working blacksmith shop. Local blacksmiths from the Appalachian Blacksmith Association will hold demonstrations throughout the New Deal Festival.
ESSO Service Station
Visit the restored Esso Service Station and see special Eleanor Roosevelt and WV statehood exhibits
The co-op Esso Service Station was one of the few businesses that survived the federal liquidation. The inside of the restored Esso Station contains artifacts including original auto repair equipment, candy and tobacco displays, soda cooler, and cash register.
AFHA AmeriCorps volunteer Emily Newton from the Traveling 219 Project will set up a display in the Esso station that includes recordings of stories she has collected about Eleanor Roosevelt plus a variety of related maps and artifacts.
There will also be a display from the WV and Regional History Collection archives, “Exploring the History of Western Virginia and the State of West Virginia” which will explore the history of West Virginia’s statehood.
E-15 Homestead
Wagner Homestead E-15 and talk with children of original homesteaders
Homestead E-15 is AHIs restored homestead house. This house is a Wagner-style house and was part of the second phase of houses built in Arthurdale. The house houses AHIs Stockdale Collection of original Arthurdale furniture. It also contains authentic décor and fixtures donated by original homesteaders and their descendants.
You will be able to meet children of the original homestead families and talk to them about what it was like growing up in Arthurdale.
Center Hall
Historic Center Hall
Center Hall is the focal point of Arthurdale and the New Deal Homestead Museum. This building was originally built as a church in the 1850s in nearby Masontown. The building was disassembled and reassembled to serve as a community center for Arthurdale. Center Hall served as a room for dinners, dances, and meetings. The is still regularly utilized by AHI and community members for the same purposes. During the Festival, Center Hall is the main dining area so stop by and pick up your chicken dinner.
