The 2016 Hall of Fame weekend was a record breaker for the Appalachian Trail Museum.
Friday evening, June 3, the Museum held its Sixth Annual Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet at the Allenberry Resort. A record crowd of 99 attended. Four titans of the A.T. were inducted into the Hall of Fame, Maurice J. Forrester, Jr. of Williamsport, PA; Horace Kephart of Bryson City, NC; Larry Luxenberg, of New City, NY; and Henry Arch Nichols, of Ashville, NC. Each honoree or representative was given a custom made hiking stick made by John "Bodacious" Beaudet. Follow THIS LINK for more information of the 2016 honorees.
Friday evening, June 3, the Museum held its Sixth Annual Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet at the Allenberry Resort. A record crowd of 99 attended. Four titans of the A.T. were inducted into the Hall of Fame, Maurice J. Forrester, Jr. of Williamsport, PA; Horace Kephart of Bryson City, NC; Larry Luxenberg, of New City, NY; and Henry Arch Nichols, of Ashville, NC. Each honoree or representative was given a custom made hiking stick made by John "Bodacious" Beaudet. Follow THIS LINK for more information of the 2016 honorees.
From left, Larry Luxenberg: Maurice J. Forrester, Jr.: Horace L. Kephart, grandson of Horace Kephart; and Ron Tipton of ATC, accepting for Henry Arch Nichols
In addition to the Hall of Fame induction, two awards were given. Terry Harley-Wilson received a Lifetime Achievement Award. Terry has served on the Museum's Board for many years, and was its first Vice President. A Museum professional, Terry led the initial efforts to assemble and catalog the Museum's innumerable artifacts. She has also obtained important grants for the Museum. Terry continues to play an important role in the work of the Museum.
Terry Harley-Wilson
Gene Espy received a certificate to acknowledge the fifth anniversary of his induction into the 2011 Hall of Fame, as the only living member of the Charter Class. In 1951, Gene became the second person to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. Follow THIS LINK for more information on Gene. One highlight of the 2016 Banquet came when Gene handed the custom-made hiking stick to Museum founder Larry Luxenberg, signifying Larry's induction into the Hall of Fame.
Gene Espy
Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), served as Master of Ceremonies. In her remarks, Secretary Dunn stressed the importance role of the Appalachian Trail in the conservation efforts of Pennsylvania and the nation.
HERE is a slideshow of photos from the Banquet.
On Saturday, Hall of Fame Weekend activities continued at the Museum, located at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. In the morning, the Grand Opening of the Childrens Museum section of the A.T. Museum was held. Located in the basement of the Museum building, the Childrens Museum features a display on each of the 13 states through which the A.T. passes, with interesting anecdotes for each state. Countless volunteers contributed to the Childrens Museum, with the effort led by Gwen Loose and Margy Schmidt, volunteers and Museum Board members. A large crowd attended the Grand Opening.
HERE is a slideshow of photos from the Grand Opening.
In the afternoon, two of the 2016 Hall of Fame inductees, Maurice Forrester and Larry Luxenberg, regaled the crowd with tales of their involvement with the Appalachian Trail.
HERE is a slideshow of photos from the Banquet.
On Saturday, Hall of Fame Weekend activities continued at the Museum, located at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. In the morning, the Grand Opening of the Childrens Museum section of the A.T. Museum was held. Located in the basement of the Museum building, the Childrens Museum features a display on each of the 13 states through which the A.T. passes, with interesting anecdotes for each state. Countless volunteers contributed to the Childrens Museum, with the effort led by Gwen Loose and Margy Schmidt, volunteers and Museum Board members. A large crowd attended the Grand Opening.
HERE is a slideshow of photos from the Grand Opening.
In the afternoon, two of the 2016 Hall of Fame inductees, Maurice Forrester and Larry Luxenberg, regaled the crowd with tales of their involvement with the Appalachian Trail.
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