In August 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt visited the impoverished coal communities of north central West Virginia. Suffering from the effects of the Great Depression, these coal families looked to the First Lady for help out of the devastating economic times. Her visit spurred the creation of Arthurdale, the nation's first New Deal Homestead Community. Arthurdale quickly became known as "Eleanor's Little Village" because of the First Lady's involvement with the project. She visited the community often to dine, dance, and converse with the homesteaders and to attend high school graduations. In...
In August 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt visited the impoverished coal communities of north central West Virginia. Suffering from the effects of the Great De...