Earl Shaffer Among First Six Inducted into the A.T. Hall of Fame

Earl's niece, Nancy Shaffer Nafziger, accepted the award on behalf of Earl at the induction banquet held at Boiling Springs, PA on June 17, 2011. Other inductees that night include Myron Avery, Gene Espy, Ed Garvey, Benton MacKaye and Arthur Perkins. Of the six, only Gene Espy of Macon, GA, the second person to thru-hike the A.T., is still living and was present to accept the award in person. The A.T. Hall of fame is housed at the A.T. Museum at Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Pennsylvania.

The description of Earl in the Hall of Fame article is as follows:

Earl Shaffer

While Benton MacKaye developed the Trail in concept and Myron Avery built the Trail, it was Earl Shaffer who pioneered the concept of thru-hiking. His notion of a 2,000-mile continuous wilderness expedition by foot was unheard of at the time, yet it went lengths to popularize the A.T. and propagate how the Trail is thought of today. Thousands of adventurers have since followed in Earl's footsteps, taking journeys that have in many cases changed lives and redirected priorities.

More about the Hall of Fame event.

Link to photo gallery of 2011 Hall of Fame event.

New Appalachian Trail Museum Now Open to the Public

The long awaited Appalachian Trail Museum celebrated its grand opening on National Trails Day, June 5, 2010. 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.

The museum is located inside a 200-year-old former grist mill at Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Pennsylvania. The suggestion to locate the museum here was first made to the AT Museum Society by Earl's youngest brother, John Shaffer. Negotiation between the Appalachian Trail Museum Society and Pine Grove Furnace State Park later resulted in an agreement to house the museum in this historic building in the park.

Earl lived not far from Pine Grove Furnace State Park for many years before he passed away in 2002, and had often participated in hiker events held at the park's Iron Master's Mansion located a short walk from the new Museum's location.

One of the featured exhibits at the museum is the reconstructed Peters Mountain A.T. Shelter, which at the time it was dismantled was the last remaining shelter standing on the A.T. built by Earl. It was one of six shelters that Earl himself constructed during the 1950s and 60s.

The A.T. Museum welcomes volunteer participation in the operation of the museum. CLICK HERE for more information.

New Appalachian Trail Museum to Open June 5, 2010

The long awaited Appalachian Trail Museum will celebrate its grand opening on National Trails Day, June 5, 2010. The museum will be located inside a 200-year-old grist mill at Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Pennsylvania. The suggestion to locate the museum here was first made by Earl's younger brother, John Shaffer. Negotiation between the Appalachian Trail Museum Society and Pine Grove Furnace State Park later resulted in an agreement to house the museum in this historic building in the park.

One of the featured exhibits at the museum will be the reconstructed Peters Mountain A.T. Shelter, which at the time it was dismantled was the last remaining shelter standing on the A.T. built by Earl. It was one of six shelters that Earl constructed during the 1950s and 60s.

The main ceremony at the A.T. Museum's Grand Opening will begin at 11 AM on June 5. Expected to attend is pioneer thru-hiker Gene Espy of Macon, Georgia, who was the second person (after Earl) to complete a thru-hike of the A.T. The daughter of Grandma Gatewood, the first woman to thru-hike the A.T., has also been invited. The A.T. Museum Society welcomes all A.T. hikers and enthusiasts to attend the grand opening.

More information on the Grand Opening from the Appalachian Trail Museum website below:

Friends of the Appalachian Trail Museum, The Appalachian Trail Museum Society is proud to announce that it will hold it's Grand Opening this summer, June 5th, 2010, at the Old Mill in Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Although many activities are still being coordinated, some of the activities are listed below (more info will be added as it becomes available).

The Main Ceremony will begin at 11:00 am. We are expecting Pioneer thru-hiker Gene Espy to be in attendance in addition to Grandma Gatewood's daughter, and hopefully other pioneer thru-hikers as well.

The "Hike to History" is limited to 150 hikers on a reservation basis. Staggered starting begins at 7:45 am and runs up through 8:30 am. The hike is 6 miles long and ends at the Old Mill for the Museum Dedication ceremony. Click here for all the details on this event in PDF format.

There will be several other programs throughout the day to choose from, although details are not fully in yet. There will be something for everyone and the day should be quite historic in itself.

Clubs and organizations interested in setting up display booths at the grand opening may contact us at info@atmuseum.org or luxenberg@lexingtonave.com for information and to arrange space.

We are in need of volunteers at the grand opening to: * act as docents to staff the museum * handle a table for A.T. books we will be selling * host areas where programs will be held * take photos and video of the event * and to help clean up after the event.

Lodging Information:

* Carlisle House Bed & Breakfast Downtown Carlisle Historic District 148 South Hanover Street Carlisle PA 17013

*Allenberry Resort is reserving 14 rooms with a special rate for our group for the weekend of $50. Mention A.T. Museum or "Trail." Please call 717-258-3211 to reserve (mention the Grand Opening). The rooms will be held until April 1. Allenberry is in Boiling Springs about 15 miles from the Old Mill and close to the A.T.

* The Country Inn & Suites in Carlisle also has rooms available at 717-241-4900

Camping Sites in the Pine Grove Furnace State Park Area

Pine Grove Furnace State Park

70 tent and trailer sites are available year-round. The campground has drinking water, flush toilets, and a sanitary dump station. A seasonal camp store is 0.25-mile from the campground. Pets are permitted on designated sites for a fee.

Organized Group Tenting: Organized adult or youth groups may reserve the rustic area year-round. The area is divided into six separate sites with capacities varying from 35 to 50 people each, or the entire camp can be reserved. The sites are in a wooded area surrounding an open playfield.

Paymasters Cabin: This historic house is available for rent year-round. It has a modern kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom and three bedrooms that sleeps six people and is near the camp store. Guests should bring all essentials like sheets, linens and dishes. Modern cabin prices apply.

A.Y.H. Hostel/Ironmaster's Mansion: This renovated historic brick structure, formerly Peter Ege's ironmaster's mansion, is operated by American Youth Hostel, Inc. Overnight, dormitory-style lodging, cooking and dining facilities are available. For more information contact the hostel manager, 717-486-7575.

Mountain Creek Campground - It has all the amenities one could possibly imagine for a campground 349 Pine Grove Rd., Gardners, PA 17324 Phone: (717) 486-7681 Fax: (717) 486-8306 http://www.mtncreekcg.com/

Cherokee Camp Ground (formerly Tagg Run) Camp Ground And Restaurant 200 Pine Grove Rd., Gardners, PA 17324 phone: (717) 486-8000 Has cabins for rent. http://cherokeecampingpa.com/ e-mail: anginadeo6@aol.com

Additional information will be added as we receive it. If you have specific questions abut the event you can contact us at info@atmuseum.org. or for more serious inquiries and questions, please contact Larry Luxenberg at 845-708-5306.

Thank you for your interest and support, - Larry Luxenberg, Museum Society President

Click below for all of the details of this event in PDF format

Hike to History June 2010

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