Arthurdale Heritage, Inc.
Mountaineer Craftsman Cooperative
The Arthurdale Unit of the Mountaineer Craftsman Cooperative began in 1935, as a collective of manufacturing concerns which exemplified the trade skills of the homesteaders of Arthurdale. They manufactured furniture, pewter, anealed copper, and woven goods. The cooperative in Arthurdale was an outgrowth of the efforts of the American Friends Service Committee.
The most successful of these ventures was the furniture. In addition to making the simple furniture which was provided for and purchased by the homesteaders, the furniture factory produced 3 minor lines (see general catalog) and 4 major lines of furniture, from the more simple to the more ornate, the 500, 700, 800, and 900 series. This furniture was sold to furniture stores or directly to the public. Many pieces are still in use today around the United States and there are several pieces in Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill Cottage. There are a few pieces in the Arthurdale Heritage museum.
Authentic Arthurdale made Mountaineer Craftsman
Furniture is identified by the logo:
which appears on the back or underside of the furniture pieces.
For a look at photographs of the pieces
of each series,
click on the General Catalog or the Series Numbers:
500 Series 700 Series 800 Series 900 Series
Pewter items were made in the forge at Arthurdale.
For a preview of some of the pewter items made
during the 1930s in Arthurdale, please click PEWTER