Appalachian Trail Museum Newsletter & Hall of Fame Nominations

Home News Appalachian Trail Museum Newsletter & Hall of Fame Nominations

Published Aug 16, 2014

The Appalachian Trail (AT) Museum is closed for the winter, but that has not slowed down the folks who volunteer their time to manage this house of treasures.

Their latest newsletter says they'll be open to the public again on the weekends from Saturday, March 29th through Sunday, May 4th from noon until 4 PM. Admission is always free. You may sign up for the newsletter by clicking on the link below.

The AT Museum is seeking nominations for the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame. Names will be accepted through Friday, February 28, 2014. If you know of someone who has "made a significant contribution toward establishing and maintaining the 2,185 mile footpath that passes through 14 states from Maine to Georgia," you are free to put their name in the hat for consideration, as long as they meet these qualifications:

All nominees must have made an exceptional and positive contribution to the Appalachian Trail or Appalachian Trail community either by leadership, inspiration, service, achievement or innovation.

This includes, without limitation:

pioneers who conceived of and developed the trail

those who organized or directed major trail organizations or trail maintaining clubs

longtime trail maintainers

leaders who promoted and protected the AT

hikers who have made significant accomplishments and

others who have enriched the culture or community of the Appalachian Trail.

Nominees can be living or deceased, with an emphasis on those who have made a long-term contribution to the AT.

Six individuals were elected in the first year. The sizes of the succeeding classes will be gradually reduced to create the maximum degree of honor and exclusivity. The first few classes will be comprised primarily of important historical figures (living or deceased) rather than contemporary figures.

The Appalachian Trail Museum Society is responsible for the Hall of Fame. Society President Larry Luxenberg says, "The fourth class to the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame will be inducted in 2014, and nominations are open for Hall of Fame nominees. Nominees should be people who have made a significant, positive contribution to the Appalachian Trail and who have unselfishly devoted their time, energy and resources toward making the Appalachian Trail a national treasure."

Without the massive influence and accomplishments made by the 16 current Hall of Fame members, Larry said the Appalachian Trail probably would not even exist. You're welcome to come to the Museum to learn more about those inducted in the first three years of voting:

Myron Avery Gene Espy Ed Garvey Benton MacKaye Arthur Perkins Earl Shaffer Emma "Grandma" Gatewood David A. Richie J. Frank Schairer Jean Stephenson William Adams Welch Ruth Blackburn David Field David Sherman David Startzell and Everett (Eddie) Stone.

The Appalachian Trail Museum is conveniently located halfway between Maine's Mount Katahdin and Georgia's Springer Mountain, the two terminal points on the AT. You may take the simple and easy path there from Interstate 81, or you may choose to follow the absurd directions given by my evil GPS that made me drive roughly 9,328 miles through forests that would scare flying monkeys. Choose wisely.

The names of the four 2014 Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame inductees will be announced in early May. The Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet will take place at the Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs, PA, on Friday, June 6, 2014.

You may make one nomination and support your selection in a brief statement not exceeding 200 words.

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