Appalachian Trail Museum facts for kids
The museum in 2024
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| Established | 2010 |
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| Location | Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pennsylvania |
The Appalachian Trail Museum is a special place in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pennsylvania. It celebrates everyone who has helped with the Appalachian Trail. This includes the people who built it, those who keep it clean, and the many hikers who walk its long path. The museum also honors people in the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame.
Inside the museum, you can see cool things like a trail shelter from 1959. This shelter was built by Earl Shaffer, who was the first person to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. You can also find old hiking gear and tools used to build the trail. There are historic signs and displays from the Smithsonian Institution. You can even see a recreated office of Benton MacKaye, who first thought of the Appalachian Trail. The museum also has a display about the National Trails System Act of 1968.
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About the Museum's History
The idea for the Appalachian Trail Museum started in 1998. It is located in an old stone building called the Old Mill Building. This building was once part of the Pine Grove Iron Works. The museum first opened its doors in 2010. It is the very first museum in the United States dedicated to a hiking trail.
The museum is open every year from early April until late October. It is easy to visit, and parking is available right next to the Furnace Stack Picnic Pavilion. The best part is that admission to the museum is free!
The museum also runs the Ironmaster's Mansion Hostel. This is a place where hikers can stay overnight. It is also used for special events. The hostel is very close to the middle point of the Appalachian Trail, just a short walk from the museum.
Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame
The Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame was created by the museum in 2011. Each year, a special committee chooses people to join the Hall of Fame. Anyone who has done something amazing and positive for the Appalachian Trail can be nominated.
The people chosen for the Hall of Fame are honored at a special banquet. The museum has a Hall of Fame Room inside the Ironmaster's Mansion Hostel. This room celebrates all the people who have been inducted. It has special plaques for each group of honorees. There is also a collection of unique hiking sticks that honor these important people.
Hall of Fame Inductees
Here are some of the people who have been honored in the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame:
- 2011 Charter Class: Myron Avery, Gene Espy, Ed Garvey, Benton MacKaye, Arthur Perkins, and Earl Shaffer.
- 2012 Class: Emma Rowena "Grandma" Gatewood, David A. Richie, J. Frank Schairer, Jean Stephenson, and William Adams Welch.
- 2013 Class: Ruth Blackburn, David Field, David Sherman, David Startzell, and Everett (Eddie) Stone.
- 2014 Class: A. Rufus Morgan, Charles R. "Chuck" Rinaldi, Clarence S. Stein, and Pamela Underhill.
- 2015 Class: Nestell K. "Ned" Anderson, Margaret Drummond, Stanley A. Murray, and Raymond H. Torrey.
- 2016 Class: Maurice Forrester, Horace Kephart, Larry Luxenberg, and Henry "Arch" Nichols.
- 2017 Class: Harlean James, Charles Parry, Mildred Norman "Peace Pilgrim" Ryder, and Matilda "Tillie" Wood.
- 2018 Class: William "Bill" Kemsley, Jr., Elizabeth Levers, George Masa, and Robert "Bob" Peoples.
- 2019 Class: M. Jean Van Gilder Cashin, Paul M. Fink, Donald T. King, and Robert T. Proudman.
- 2020 Class: Chris Brunton, Warren Doyle, Thurston Griggs, and Walkin' Jim Stoltz.
- 2021 Class: Harvey Benjamin Broome, Stephen Clark, Thomas Johnson, and Marianne Skeen.
- 2022 Class: Jim & Molly Denton, JoAnn & Paul Dolan, Laurie Potteiger, and Tom Speaks.
- 2023 Class: M.J. Eberhart, Lester Kenway, Brian B. King, and Harry Rentschler.
- 2024 Class: Edward B. Ballard, Arno Cammerer, Raymond Hunt, and Ronald S. Rosen.
Images for kids
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Appalachian Trail passing the museum
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Ceremonial halfway marker
See Also
- Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association
- Appalachian Trail Conservancy
