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Arthurdale Heritage, Inc.

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Arthurdale Heritage, Inc.

Arthurdale Heritage, Inc.
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Arthurdale Heritage is dedicated to building a resilient community inspired by the history, legacy, and folk arts of Arthurdale--the nation's first New Deal Community--and its people. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to build a resilient community inspired by the history, legacy, and folk arts of Arthurdale--the nation's first New Deal Community--and its people.

05/29/2026

New arrivals this week in the Craft Shop!

We’ve restocked handcrafted goodies from Soaps & Beyond & Beyond — including favorite bar soaps, perfume oils, and NEW castile soap. This all-natural, locally made body care line is a customer favorite, and castile soap is especially versatile — and despite what you may think of castile soap, it can be safe and beneficial for dry skin. Due to it being a plant-based, natural cleanser (usually made from olive or coconut oil), it lacks the harsh chemical detergents and sulfates that strip natural oils.

We’re also fully stocked on pure, locally sourced maple syrup from Heasley's Homestead in Bruceton Mills. We’ve got jugs, flats, maple candy, maple sugar, and even large bottles of syrup available while supplies last!

New book in the shop from West Virginia author Natalie Sypolt: If Only the Rain Would Come. This gritty novel-in-stories is set in a fictional West Virginia town and explores the live of Hazel and of interconnected residents dealing with grief, addiction, love, and resilience. Told through multiple voices, it’s an honest and compelling look at human connection and rural Appalachian life.

-Shop in-person at the Craft Shop
📍 Arthurdale Heritage, 18 Q Rd., Arthurdale, WV
⌚️Tues.-Sat. 10am-4pm
-Shop online: https://www.arthurdaleshop.com/

05/28/2026

We've partnered with Visit Mountaineer Country in celebration of America 250 & New Deal Fest 2026 for a special Appalachian getaway, valued at $500! Check it out 👇 enter now!

05/27/2026

For this week's Homesteader Highlight, we're talking about the Thalman family.

Albert Lucas and Edna (Reed) Thalman were in a later group of homesteaders when they moved into M-2, probably in 1937. He was a miner and the family had been living in Bretz. They had two sons, Albert Jr (15) and Marvin (22). Albert Jr graduated from Arthurdale High in 1940, and Marvin went to WVU for two years. In the 1940 census, Albert Sr. was still working in the mines as a cutting machine operator.

In 1938, the Deluxe Machine Company transferred the Co-op Tractor Factory from Battle Creek, Michigan to Arthurdale - an attempt by the government to provide steady work for the homesteaders. William Stoothoff Sr. arrived in September of 1938 to direct the building of the plant and then to become its manager. He returned to Battle Creek in December of 1939 when the plant closed, but his son Bill remained here to graduate in the spring of 1940. His sister Shirley must have visited Arthurdale since Marvin Thalman married Shirley Stoothoff in 1940. Marvin began working in the office at Deluxe Machine then joined the Army in 1943 and served for three years. By the 1950s, he was an industrial engineer with Lincoln-Mercury and later worked at Ford in Detroit. He retired as an engineer with Chrysler. He and his family remained in Michigan.

Albert Jr. served in the Army Air Forces from 1943 to 1946. In 1945, he married Dorothy White, whose sister had married Stanley Stoothoff, one of Bill’s brothers. She graduated from Pontiac (MI) High School and was a secretary for an industrial engineering firm in NJ. Albert Jr. attended Aero Industries Tech Institute in California, took specialty courses at Ohio State, and was an Army instructor in Texas when they wed. He later moved with his family to Smyrna Beach, FL where he owned Thalman Heating and Appliance Corporation.

Albert Sr. retired from coal mining and he and Edna moved to Smyrna Beach in 1960. He was an active member of their church plus several men’s clubs until he died at 76 in 1970. Edna stayed in the area and remained a dedicated member of their church. She had learned to weave in Arthurdale and stayed an avid weaver throughout her life. She kept several looms in her home where she wove rugs, linens, cloth, and other items. She died at age 99 in 1996.

05/25/2026

Arthurdale Heritage is closed today, May 25 for Memorial Day. We hope you join us in remembering and honoring those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Memorial Day was established following the Civil War as a day to honor and remember those who lost their life in service to their nation. More than 150 years later, we still observe the holiday and reflect on the sacrifices of our fellow men and women. The Arthurdale community recognized those who served in World War II by erecting a memorial along Q Road in 1943. The memorial was rededicated in 1975 with a permanent bronze plaque, and Senator Jennings Randolph delivered the address.

We are thankful to all those volunteers and donors who help keep our veterans memorial beautiful today as well as the many community members who have served in the armed forces.

05/23/2026

We want to say a big THANK YOU to our April and May volunteers of the month--the Cheat River Chapter of the WV Daughters of the American Revolution and George Street!

The Cheat River DAR chapter has been wonderful volunteers in helping with kid’s activities for our big events like the Fall Fest, Holiday Open House, and Spring Fling.

George Street has been volunteering as a blacksmith in our Forge for a few years, and this spring he gave demonstrations for multiple school groups, which often became the highlight of their visit to Arthurdale.

05/22/2026

We’re excited to welcome two new West Virginia artists to the shop!

Please help us welcome T. Anne Hawkins of Clay and Fire Studio! Her unique style and beautiful craftsmanship truly make her one of a kind. From funky house sculptures and cool vase shapes to mugs featuring stunning colorways, each piece is full of personality and artistry.

We’re also thrilled to welcome Barking Brothers Candle Co. from Kingwood, WV! Named after their beloved pets, these local candle makers create hand-poured soy candles in a variety of wonderful scents you’re sure to love.

Stop by the shop to check out these amazing new additions in person, or shop online anytime!

📍 18 Q Rd., Arthurdale, WV, 26520
⏰ Tues.-Sat. 10am-4pm
🛒 https://www.arthurdaleshop.com/s/shop

05/20/2026

For this week's Homesteader Highlight, we're featuring the Squires family.

Clyde and Matilda “Tillie” (Harden) Squires were members of the first group of homesteaders when they moved into H-3, their new Hodgson home, on July 1, 1934. The family included their three children - Dortha “Dot” (15), Joseph (12), and Ralph (11) - and Clyde’s widowed mother. Tillie’s parents Joe and Rebecca Harden would also become homesteaders.

The family had been living in Bretz where Clyde worked mostly in the mines, including being a boss of track work, but had also run machinery for an electric auto light company. He was hired to work in Arthurdale as a laborer but within a few months became a painter foreman. This boosted his pay from 45 cents an hour to 80 cents an hour, one of the highest salaries available. Tillie became a janitor, which paid $30 a month. By the 1940 census, Clyde was assembling furniture for the Mountaineer Craftsmen Cooperative Association while Tillie was working in the shirt factory as a facings seamstress.

According to the 1945 Morgantown City Directory, the couple had moved there and Clyde was a house painter. In 1946, Dot married Harlan Fraley. They both were native West Virginians who were living in Alexandria, VA. Dot was a clerk/typist for the federal government and Harlan was a brick mason. (It is possible that Eleanor Roosevelt helped her find the job as she did for many homestead children.) They continued living in the area and by 1959 Harlan was secretary/treasurer for his father’s construction company, T. D. Fraley and Sons.

Joe joined the Navy after graduating in 1943. He was serving on the USS Intrepid when two kamikaze planes dove into the ship, causing major damage, and killing 69 servicemen. Stationed in San Francisco, he met Beverly Lucas and married her in 1946. They raised their family in that area.

Ralph also entered the Navy and served from 1943 to 1946 as a coxswain in a construction battalion. His duty station was the naval base in San Pedro, CA. He married Marie Kettles in 1946 and started his family in California.

By the early 1950s, Clyde and Tillie were living in Alexandria where he was a painting contractor. He died in 1955 from a heart attack. Tillie died at the age of 101 in 2004 and is buried with her husband in the Reedsville Cemetery.

05/18/2026

We love to see people gathering in Arthurdale Heritage's Center Hall for all sorts of events. Our Wednesday mornings have been truly special since establishing Community Mornings in Center Hall--about one year ago. Community Mornings in Center Hall is a free, community-driven space for discussions, activities, and--most importantly--making connections with people. Every first Wednesday of the month is a breakfast potluck, and every third Wednesday we have a special guest come give a talk about various topics. Every other Wednesday is unstructured. 9am-11am. Puzzles, games, and fresh tea and coffee provided!

Upcoming 3rd Wednesday Special Guest Talks:
June 17 - Appalachian Music with Mary Linscheid
July 15 - "Voices Faintly Heard" documentary film screening about the folk music of the Southern WV Coalfields with Chris Haddox
August 19 - The Art of Crankies with Annick Odom

To learn more, visit:https://www.arthurdaleheritage.org/community-mornings-in-center-hall/

05/13/2026

For this week’s homesteader highlight, we’re featuring the Donahue family!

There are three families where both a father and a son became Arthurdale homesteaders. One pair was Daniel Henry and his wife Elsie Nora (Michner) Donahue who were the parents of four children when they moved into E-10 on August 21, 1935. He had been a woodworker and electrician in the coalmines.

In 1934 Dan and his son Henry were living in Morgantown and working for the Mountaineer Craftsmen Association - Dan as a cabinetmaker and Henry as a finisher. (The MCCA later moved to Arthurdale.) By 1940, Dan was travelling to Morgantown to work at the DuPont Company. Sometime later they decided to leave Arthurdale. In the 1950 Census, Dan and Elsie are in their sixties and living on Tyrone Road outside of Morgantown.

Their sons Paul and Henry moved into Arthurdale with them. (The Donahue daughters were married. Genevieve in 1934 married John Beal and in 1935, Gertrude wed Abe DeGardeyn.) Paul is a meat cutter in Arthurdale when he marries Nora Beryl Trickett in May of 1937. By 1940, they are living in Morgantown and Paul is working at Beaumont Glass. In the 1950 Census, they have moved to River Road Lock 11 in Morgantown and he is working in a grocery store. They have two children, Lois (11) and Larry (3).

Henry marries Thurla Olene Stalnaker in March of 1936 and they become homesteaders, moving into O-4 after their first daughter Shelby Jean was born in 1937. Joyce Elaine was born in Arthurdale in 1939. Because it was unclear whether or not they would be able to buy a homestead, they decided to move out of Arthurdale but stayed in the area and added 3 more girls to their family - Nora Danelle, Beverly Ann, and Victoria Jane who was the last in 1945. When Henry’s parents decided to leave E-10, Henry and Thurla bought their home. He continued making furniture for the MCCA plus being the shipping clerk and delivering groceries in the evening. By 1950, the family left Arthurdale again. They lived in Independence and Gladesville and later in Morgantown. Henry worked as a carpenter for Baker and Coombs Construction. Henry and Thurla are buried in the Arthurdale Cemetery.

Do you have any photos of the Donahues? We have none in our archives and luckily found the daughters pictured in newspaper archives. We want to save all homestead pictures and stories!

05/11/2026

We're so proud of our Mountain Music Kids! Thanks to everybody who came out to their showcase last Friday, and Cheat Fest on Saturday, to show their support. It's so exciting to see a group of young folks so interested in traditional Appalachian music.

The Mountain Music Kids program is offered every spring and fall for students ages 8-15 at Arthurdale Heritage in Preston County. We offer loaner instruments and scholarships as funding allows. If you'd like to support this program, your gift of $100 will make it possible for us to provide a scholarship to a student for our fall semester. Any amount will be gladly accepted and put to good use in the Mountain Music Kids program!

You can donate via our website or call/drop by our office. If you have instrument donations, please email [email protected].

Donate: https://www.arthurdaleheritage.org/donate/

Photos: Treasure Barberich-Wyckoff

Address

18 Q Road, Rte. 92
Arthurdale, WV
26520

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+13048643959

Website

https://arthurdaleheritage.org/

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