Arthurdale heritage will reimagine their current museum space and install a new permanent exhibition at the historic site of arthurdale, west virginia, the nation's first new deal community

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded Arthurdale Heritage Inc. $125,056 on September 1, 2026, under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301) to reimagine and install a new permanent exhibition at the historic Arthurdale site in Arthurdale, West Virginia, the nation's first New Deal community.

Arthurdale Heritage will hire a contractor to fabricate exhibits, purchase and install exhibit interactives, interpretive panels, iPads for digital interactives, and museum furniture. The reimagined museum space will interpret Arthurdale's history and the Great Depression in rural America through a self-guided experience featuring updated displays, hands-on interactive elements, and immersive spaces. The project is designed to improve accessibility and engagement for visitors of all ages and abilities and will serve approximately 7,000 annual visitors from Preston and Monongalia Counties, West Virginia, and out-of-state visitors.

Performance period runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, at Arthurdale, West Virginia. Arthurdale Heritage Inc., doing business as New Deal Homstead Museum, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the nation's first New Deal community. The Museums for America program invests in museums of all sizes in project-based efforts to serve the public through exhibitions, educational programs, and community partnerships.

The reimagined museum space will interpret the history of arthurdale and, more broadly, the great depression in rural america. Arthurdale heritage will hire a contractor to complete the exhibition fabrication work and purchase and install new exhibit interactives, interpretive panels, ipads for digital interactives, and museum furniture. This project will transform the museum into a self-guided experience, with updated displays, hands-on interactive elements, and immersive spaces. Project results include improved accessibility and engagement for visitors of all ages and abilities, fostering a new understanding of community, work, and reform in rural communities. This project will benefit approximately 7,000 visitors annually who are residents of preston and monongalia counties, WV, as well as out-of-state visitors who come from all over the country.