Blog Archives

Help Us Celebrate: 75 Years of Thru-Hiking on the Appalachian Trail!

7/27/2023

The A.T.'s first known thru-hiker, Earl V. Shaffer, on Katahdin. Photo Courtesy David Donaldson

We'll also dedicate a New OUTDOOR Museum Exhibit: Earl Shaffer’s 1956 stone Darlington Shelter

Schedule

10:30 AM: Meet and Greet!
11:00 AM: Earl Shaffer’s Legacy and Impact
12:00 PM: Picnic Lunch, (Burgers and Hotdogs available)
1:00 PM: Dedication of Darlington Shelter Exhibit.

Guest Speakers

Brian King, former publisher for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 2023 Inductee into the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame, and author of The Appalachian Trail: Celebrating America’s Hiking Trail.
Silas Chamberlin, independent scholar, historian, environmental policy analyst, and author of On the Trail: A History of American Hiking.
Karen Balaban, President (2008-2012) of the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club (SATC) and current Project Manager for reconstruction of the Darlington Shelter. She was a strong advocate, organizer and hands-on volunteer coordinator for the 2011-2012 rescue effort.
Larry Knutson, President of Penn Trails, was deeply involved in the year-long rescue effort for the Darlington Shelter. He photographed and documented the dimensions and construction of the shelter, and oversaw the disassembly and transport of stones to the A.T. Museum.
Andrea Shapiro, author of a new children’s book about Earl Shaffer, 2000 Miles to Happy. Andrea has thru-hiked both the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail.
Luke Kolbie, CEO of the Russell Moccasin Company, established in 1898 and makers of the boots Earl Shaffer wore during his entire 1948 thru-hike of the AT. Russell Moccasin is producing a 75th Anniversary, Earl Shaffer edition of its original Birdshooter boots.

0 Comments

An Audio Tour Of The "Half Gallon Challenge"

7/25/2023

0 Comments

Harrisburg public radio station WITF reporter Rachel McDevitt travelled to Pine Grove Furnace State Park to speak with A.T. hikers at the Pine Grove General Store taking the famous "Half Gallon Challenge". We hope they also stopped in to see the Appalachian Trail Museum after they were done. HERE is a link to the feature.

0 Comments

Come Volunteer With Us!!

7/20/2023

0 Comments

Would you like to learn about the Appalachian Trail and meet lots of friendly folks? Come volunteer with us!!

We can use folks to help us man the Museum when it is open. That job is called being a docent. Docents greet visitors at the door, answer questions, sell merchandise, etc. Are you worried you don't know enough to be a docent? We'll pair you with an experienced docent who knows the ropes and will teach you what you need to know.

Would you rather work behind the scenes? That's OK. We can use people to help with landscaping, assisting at events, minor carpentry, painting, making videos, technology, and much, much more. We also have special events throughout the year just for volunteers.