GARDNERS, PA (March 29, 2010) - The Appalachian Trail Museum Society has elected a national board of directors as the organization nears the June 5, 2010, opening of the museum in south central Pennsylvania, about 15 miles west of Gettysburg.
The Appalachian Trail Museum Society was formed in 2002 as the non-profit organization to establish the museum as a tribute the thousands of men, women and families who hike and maintain the trail. Arguably the most famous hiking trail in the world, the Appalachian Trail is 2,178 miles long and connects 14 states from Maine to Georgia
Larry Luxenberg, who initiated the effort to create a museum to honor the trail a dozen years ago, was re-elected president of the organization that he founded. A resident of New City, New York, he thru-hiked the trail, or hiked it end-to-end, in 1980. His popular book, Walking the Appalachian Trail, covers the trail's history, its culture and the colorful personalities who hike the trail.
|
Larry Luxenberg, founder and president of the Appalachian Trail Museum Society, in front of the grist mill that is being renovated to open as the Appalachian Trail Museum on June 5, 2010. |
Terry Harley-Wilson of French Lick, Indiana, was elected vice president. Rich Evans of Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, was elected treasurer, and Bill O'Brien of Meriden, Connecticut, was elected secretary. Rounding out the 13-member board are:
- Robert Croyle from Savannah, Georgia
- Noel DeCavalcante from Melbourne, Florida
- Tom Johnson from Vienna, Virginia
- Gwen Loose from York, Pennsylvania
- Steve Paradis from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
- Joe Patterson from New Holland, Pennsylvania
- Laurie Potteiger from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
- J.R. Tate from Woodlawn, Tennessee
- Kent Wilson from French Lick, Indiana
Appalachian Trail Museum Society Elects National Board
The Appalachian Trail Museum Society Board is working with volunteers nationwide, architects, display designers, historians and donors to renovate a 200-year-old grist mills in Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The mill will open on Saturday, June 5, 2010, at 11 a.m. as the only museum in the United States dedicated to hiking.
About the Appalachian Trail Museum Society
The Appalachian Trail Museum Society, a 501-C-3 not-for-profit organization formed in 2002, is organizing volunteers and fundraising nationwide to establish the Appalachian Trail Museum as a tribute to the thousands of men, women and families who have hiked and maintained the 2,178 mile long hiking trail that passes through 14 states from Maine to Georgia. The museum is located in the Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Gardners, Pennsylvania, approximately 15 miles west of Gettysburg. Additional information is available at www.atmuseum.org.
###
MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Patterson, 717-823-7556, joseph.patterson@e-lynxx.com
