Is the workshop free?

Yes. The Workbench Building Workshop is free to attend; it is supported by the Pianfetti Foundation.

Do I need woodworking experience?

No prior experience is required. The workshop focuses on basic joinery and assembly techniques suitable for beginners.

How do I reserve a spot?

Spaces are limited to 12 students; reserve in advance through the booking/referral link provided with the event listing.

Bring sturdy closed-toe shoes, a refillable water bottle, and work gloves if you have them; basic tools and materials are supplied.

Where exactly is the meeting point and parking?

The event meets at Homestead Workshop, 358 E Rd., Arthurdale, WV 26520. Additional parking can be found up A Road (towards Rt. 92) near the dumpsters.

Is the workshop accessible for people with mobility limitations?

Accessibility details are not specified in the listing; contact the organizers in advance to discuss accommodations and any mobility needs.

Build Workbenches at Arthurdale Homestead Woodshop | Workshop

The Workbench Building Workshop at Arthurdale’s Homestead Workshop is a hands-on community build located in Arthurdale, West Virginia. Taking place at Homestead Workshop, 358 E Rd., Arthurdale, WV 26520 on June 6 from 12pm–6pm, the event gathers up to 12 students to construct durable workbenches that will equip the E-2 Barn’s new Homestead Woodshop. This is a rare chance to shape a public space: volunteers leave with practical skills and the knowledge that their work will power future woodworking classes.

Arthurdale sits on a rolling ridge of the Allegheny Plateau; around the barn you’ll find field edges, mixed hardwoods, and the pragmatic brick and timber buildings that mark this historic New Deal homestead community. The E-2 Barn itself is a simple, functional structure whose interior — long benches, exposed beams, and dusty light — is a photographer’s study in utility. Key features of the scene include the workbench layout in progress, the barn’s timber framing, and the surrounding homestead fields that slope toward distant ridgelines.

The workshop is free, supported by the Pianfetti Foundation, and designed for participants who want hands-on experience rather than classroom theory. You’ll learn basic joinery and assembly techniques, practice measuring and clamping, and help finish benches that will see years of use. Tools and materials are provided; bring sturdy shoes and a willingness to get your hands dirty. Parking is available near the site; additional parking can be found up A Road (towards Rt. 92) near the dumpsters.

This project matters because Arthurdale is more than a place to visit: it’s one of the nation’s first planned homestead communities, born in the 1930s as part of New Deal relief efforts. That history gives the woodshop a clear role — conserving craft, teaching trades, and anchoring contemporary community programming. The workbench build is both practical service and a living-history moment.

For travelers, the workout is gentle but satisfying: expect six hours of active standing, lifting, and repeated movements. The surroundings reward a slower kind of exploration—short walks around fields, close looks at historic outbuildings, and conversations with local staff. Spaces are limited to 12 participants; reserve in advance if you want to be part of this one-day effort to build something that will last.

Beyond the build itself, participants leave with practical tips—safe tool handling, board selection, simple bench-top joinery, and finishing basics—that can be applied to at-home projects. The event doubles as a low-key social day: expect to meet local volunteers, learn about future classes, and see plans for the Homestead Woodshop’s role in regional arts. Because materials are limited and benches are meant for long-term use, organizers emphasize durable construction and low-waste practices—an ideal project for makers who want immediate, tangible results and lasting pride.

About Arthurdale Heritage, Inc.

Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. preserves and shares the cultural history of Arthurdale, West Virginia through public programs, hands-on workshops, and community events. The organization hosts a range of experiences that connect visitors and residents with Appalachian traditions, including weaving, relief printing, herbalism, creative writing, folk music, and historical lectures.

Programs include classroom-style workshops such as Tiny Tapestry: Weaving for Beginners and Mug Rug Weaving, which teach basic loom techniques and let participants take home finished pieces. Art-focused offerings include a Relief Printing Workshop led by Meish Claus and Ekphrastic Writing: A Creative Writing Workshop with Jessie Van Eerden, both designed for practical skill development and artistic exploration. Music and storytelling are central to the calendar with events like Folk Music of the Southern Coalfields featuring Chris Haddox, and an outdoor theatrical performance of Shakespeare’s MACBETH by the Rusted Mechanicals troupe.

Educational talks and literary programming further highlight local history and practice. Making History with Christina Fisanick guides researchers and writers in using primary sources for family history and narrative work. Taste of Arthurdale presents historical perspectives on food in Appalachia, led by historian Katharine Donnelly. The Poetics of Gratitude workshop and Herbal Mixer build community through shared creative and practical activities.

Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. programs are delivered by named instructors and guest presenters and take place in Arthurdale, West Virginia. The organization focuses on accessible, place-based learning and cultural preservation, offering scheduled workshops and events that invite participation from local communities and visitors alike. Program details and schedules are posted regularly.