Based on field work in rural areas of Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran in 1973-74, an examination of the nature of rural cultural houses in Iran was undertaken. Set up by royal decree in 1968, the rural cultural houses have had as their objective to assist peasantry in general and rural youth in particular to achieve a socially enriched life through development of athletic, artistic, and technical potentialities. In addition, activities attempted to foster community cooperation in solving socioeconomic problems and persuade peasants to participate in other community organizations. By 1977, some 1,030 villages had cultural houses, with guidance provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and associations at provincial and village levels. An agent, usually a young woman, was generally assigned to each rural cultural house. At the time of field work, there were 69 such houses in Khuzestan, serving 1.8 percent of the province's population. In the three cultural houses visited (in addition to standard program activities), kindergartens were in operation, serving free breakfasts and hot lunches. Though extent of the cultural house program in Iran has been limited, these centers could be useful instruments for improving living conditions of the villagers, particularly if the work could be coordinated with that of other village services and organizations. (RS)