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“Connecting the human spirit to nature” is the mission of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.), the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. Considered a national and natural treasure, the A.T.’s trees bear signature white blazes of paint to guide thousands of hikers, day-trippers and adventure-seekers along 2,190 miles through 14 states, eight national forests, six national parks and numerous state parks and forests—including many in central Pennsylvania.
In fact, the halfway point of the entire A.T. is located in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Cumberland County. Nearby towns include Carlisle, Shippensburg and Gettysburg. It’s very close to this midpoint that the Appalachian Trail Museum is located, telling the story of the A.T., “the most popular hiking trail in America.” And it’s an excellent place to launch an Appalachian adventure of your own.
Photo by Karen Hendricks
Nate Shank, museum manager
Trail Blazing
First proposed by Benton MacKaye in 1921, the A.T. was a vision that became reality in the 1930s, thanks to numerous trailblazers. Similarly, the museum became a reality in 2010 thanks to Larry Luxenberg, a Pennsylvania man who hiked the entire A.T. in 1980 and subsequently researched and wrote the trail guide “Walking the Appalachian Trail.” He began collecting and protecting the A.T. memorabilia—landmark trail signs, journals, hikers’ boots and more—now incorporated into colorful displays in the museum.
Built and maintained primarily by volunteers, the museum is housed in a historic grist mill. The stone structure was built around 1780 to provide wheat and flour for the surrounding area, known as South Mountain. Today, the museum serves several key goals: welcoming and supporting hikers at the halfway point of their journey, celebrating trail pioneers via fascinating displays and artifacts, and inspiring visitors to hit the trail.
In the center of the museum is an exhibit honoring Earl Shaffer, a York County native who earned the distinction of being the first person to hike the entire A.T. in 1948. It was a revolutionary idea at the time, as no one had previously considered a continuous hike of the whole trail. Now there’s a term for people who complete the trail—“thru-hikers.”
“It’s really rewarding when people visit,” says Nate Shank, museum manager. “A lot of people don’t have an extreme amount of experience being in the wild, but when they see the trail, it gives them an appreciation and love for the trail.”
“This is my dream job,” Shank says. A lifelong Fairfield, Adams County, resident, Shank graduated from Penn State Mont Alto’s highly-respected forestry program, then hiked the entire A.T. in 2012. His first job, working as a naturalist at Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve, Adams County, is a job he still maintains. But he jumped at the chance to become manager of the museum in 2016.
“Part of the goal here is to let people know they can get involved and protect the trail so that it’s open for many, many years,” says Shank. “If we protect the history and let people know how much work went into the trail, people will appreciate it more.”
Photo by Karen Hendricks
Planting Seeds for a New Generation of Hikers
In 2016, the museum expanded by creating an entire first-floor experience designed to introduce children and families to the A.T. A colorful “trail” splashed across the floor leads pint-sized hikers through interactive displays with facts about each of the 14 trail states.
Shank says it’s important to plant seeds for the next generation of hikers and nature lovers by presenting the trail in a fun way. “A lot of people say it’s their favorite part of the whole museum. There’s a big picture of a bear on the exhibit for New Jersey where kids like to take pictures. And we have a new mural with 14 hidden animals kids [of all ages] can find.”
Shank says hiking provides lots of health benefits beyond exercise. “Green is actually scientifically proven to be the healthiest color for us—and the trail is known as ‘the green tunnel.’ It’s a place to get away and enjoy the simple necessities. When you’re out on the trail, it forces you to be in the moment, to enjoy nature all around you.”
On a hot July afternoon, a group of seven young people from Harrisburg are enjoying a day trip to visit the Appalachian Trail and its museum. “It was on our Central PA bucket list,” says Jonathan Barry Wolf, 23. Similarly, he says, “I’ve never hiked on the Appalachian Trail, but it’s always been on my bucket list.” He was able to cross both items off his lists!
“Growing up in Colorado, I didn’t know much about the Appalachian Trail,” says Sarah Raymond, 23, now of Harrisburg. But after hiking on the trail and visiting the museum, she has a new appreciation for the A.T. “I really love history, so I appreciate all the preparation that formed the trail, the people who hiked it, and it’s real to me now.”
“Giving kids access to nature and the outdoors is so vital; it was a part of my childhood,” says Heather Loring-Albright, 30, of Harrisburg. “I’ve hiked sections of the trail before. Being here, I’m inspired [to hike] again. The museum describes everything, memorializes those who created the A.T., and makes it accessible.”
Photo by Karen Hendricks
Happy Trails and the Half-Gallon Challenge
Next door to the A.T. Museum is the Pine Grove General Store, where you’re likely to see thru-hikers and day hikers congregating on the patio, enjoying ice cream and conversation. That’s where we caught up with hiker Matthew Scott, 23, of Boone, North Carolina. “I started on Springer Mountain, Georgia, on May 21,” he says. “I just got out of the military and have always wanted to hike the A.T. since I was a kid. I’m trying to finish it before I start college.”
By July 21, exactly two months and 1,100 miles later, he had made it to the A.T.’s midway point and completed what’s called “the half-gallon challenge”—eating an entire half-gallon of ice cream to celebrate this trail milestone. “I’ll probably regret it later tonight,” Scott says with a laugh. He was excited to visit the A.T. Museum next. “Raising awareness of the trail is huge,” he says.
How would he describe his trail experience so far? “It’s surreal—very tough,” he says. But the friendships and camaraderie among hikers are the best part of the experience, says Scott, as he gestures around the patio to his fellow hikers. “We all met within the first 30 miles and have hiked the last 1,100 miles together.”
Pole Steeple and Sunset Rocks
Susquehanna Valley day trippers can easily plan their own “Appalachian adventure,” says Shank. He recommends visitors begin their day by visiting the museum (check the website for seasonal hours), picnicking at the nearby pavilion, and then hitting the trail. From the museum, he says there are two trail options he recommends—both options are around six to seven miles round-trip from the museum and give hikers a taste of the A.T. with side trails to picturesque views.
Pole Steeple, an outcropping of rocks, provides a view of Laurel Lake, Pine Grove Furnace State Park, surrounded by the mountains of Michaux State Forest. Or “taking the A.T. across South Mountain, there is a side trail to Sunset Rocks,” Shank says. “And there’s not a single man-made thing you can see—just the sky, trees and mountains of Michaux…it’s peace and simplicity.”
More Info:
Appalachian Trail Museum
1120 Pine Grove Road, Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Gardners, PA
Note: Some mapping programs place this address too far to the north.
Exact coordinates are:
Latitude, Longitude: 40.032988, -77.304626
N40° 1.9793', W077° 18.2776'
