Palace Of Gold
The Palace of Gold started as a idea by Kirtanananda Swami 
of wanting to build a residence for Srila
Prabhupada at New Vrindavan. The project soon took on larger dimensions
when the devotees sought to construct an Indian style structure,
although knowing very little about Indian architecture.
The unique thing about the building of the Palace (and the community
itself) was that the construction and all of the craft work was done
exclusively by community residents.
Amazingly enough, none of the
residents were skilled artisans, but they actually developed these skills
during "on the job training," and much of it self taught through trial
and error; including marble cutting and design, as well as
stained glass and wrought iron work. Not only did they build
the Palace, they also constructed and equipped all the craft shops that
contributed to the esthetic nature of the structure, resulting in its
immediate interest to the outside world.
Through most of the 70's, the main focus was the construction of the
Palace, spurred on by Prabhupada's statement that he would come to live
there after the Palace was completed. 
On his last visit to the community
in 1976, Srila Prabhupada toured the construction site and was pleased
by the efforts of the devotees. When one devotee pointed to the cement
block walls, saying that they will be finished off with rare marble and
jewels, Prabhupada was unimpressed, replying "the devotees are my
jewels."
When Prabhupada passed away in Vrindavan, India in 1977 at the age of 82,
the Palace was far from finished. The devotees completed the
project as a tribute and a memorial to their loving teacher. The
Palace was replete with elaborate gold leaf work, stain glass
windows, marble work, murals, 
an award winning rose
garden, a gift shop, and an eloquent vegetarian
restaurant.
Upon its grand opening in 1979, the Palace received over ten thousand
visitors. The Palace of Gold soon became one of the largest tourist
attractions in the state of West Virginia.
Since 1999 there has been an effort to raise much needed funds to repair
the Palace since maintenance had been neglected for over a decade due in
part to the dwindling funds and decrease of tourism in the 90's.
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