Welcome to the web site of the Appalachian Trail Museum Society, The dream of an Appalachian Trail Museum has finally become reality. With the June 5, 2010 Grand Opening behind it and a promising future still to come, the Museum is open for visitors. From Memorial Day through Labor Day the Museum is open every day from noon to 4:00 PM, and in the spring and fall during the same hours but only on weekends. Admission is free. Phone: 717 486-8126 For directions & lodging options, click here.

Located in Pennsylvania's Pine Grove Furnace State Park, about two miles from the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail, the Museum is halfway between Maine and Georgia. Appropriately, the Museum is housed in a building that is itself a historical artifact, a structure built more than two hundred years ago as a grist mill. It stands across the road from the Pine Grove general store, a site famed in hiker lore. It is here that thru-hikers traditionally stop to celebrate reaching the midpoint by eating -- or attempting to eat -- a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting.

Nearby is the Ironmasters Hostel which, although presently closed for extensive renovation, is scheduled to re-open in the spring of 2011.

The Old Mill is owned by the State Park, but has had limited use in recent years. Following the negotiation of a lease agreement that allowed the building's use for museum purposes, extensive renovations were undertaken -- mostly with the use of volunteer labor. The result is that the main floor is now up to code requirements and is in use as the Appalachian Trail Museum. Plans are in the works for future renovations, as funds become available, that will make space available on another floor.

Current exhibits include a trail shelter that was built by hiker legend Earl Shaffer. The shelter, which has been replaced with a more modern one, was painstakingly disassembled at its former site on Peters Mountain in Pennsylvania and reassembled in the new Museum. In addition, there are artifacts that belonged to other hiking pioneers such as Grandma Gatewood, Gene Espy, and Ed Garvey. In the Museum computers display the more than 12,000 photos that have been taken of thru-hikers as they reached Harpers Ferry on their journeys either north or south. There is also a children's discovery area and hiker welcoming areas both inside and outside.

COME VISIT US!

Your help will also be appreciated. There is a continuing need for volunteers, especially in the Museum area, who are able to assist with the running and management of the Museum, as well as to welcome and assist visitors.

Important! As a fledgling museum, only a portion of our space is being utilized, and of course money is a major need to develope other floors to include exciting exhibits. This year, our Fund Drive focuses on obtaining enough donations to recieve an annonymous $50,000 matching grant which would make it possible to prepare the remainder of the building to become part of the Museum. A report, available thru this link, will (1) help to make you aware of all that we have done so far up through our second season, (2) to let you know what we are planning for next year and beyond; and (3) to ask for your continued financial support to help us manage the steadily growing costs of the Museum. Please be a part of this endeavor by sending whatever contribution you can to the A.T. Museum at 1120 Pine Grove Road, Gardners, PA 17324. after downloading our 2012 donor form to include with your donation, or click on Appalachian Al below to donate online.

Click on "Appalachian Al" to make a donation, to view our progress in our current fundraising campaign, and see how you can help make the museum better.

Please check out the news page concerning the AT photo project and give your permission concerning your photo when you passed thru Harpers Ferry. More information and forms granting permission to display information along with the hiker photos is available by writing to atmuseum@yahoo.com.

For a list of items that you might be able to provide to help the museum run smoothly, see the item donation page

Thank you for your interest and support,

- Larry Luxenberg, Museum Society President

Contact Information


1120 Pine Grove Road
Gardners, PA 17324
Phone: 717 486-8126


Electronic mail
General Information: info@atmuseum.org

Corporate Sponsorship Levels and their benefits can be found by clicking here

Copyright © 2004 Appalachian Trail Museum Society