AT Museum Volunteer Newsletter - April 2016

April 2016
brought to you by Joe Harold, Appalachian Trail Museum Manager

We are now open for business and we have had some good visitor numbers already.  

We had a very good clean up day and five informative orientation sessions and things are going pretty good.

You may have heard that I have been having some back issues.  They are slowing me down, but I hope to be back up to speed soon.  Right now, I'm moving pretty slow and my work at the Museum is suffering.  Thanks to all those who are giving me that extra help.  It is certainly appreciated.

We are Open.

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Clean Up Day 

Saturday, the 19th was Clean Up Day.  We had a good showing and a large troop of Boy Scouts (Troop 105 from Exton, PA) stopped by to help with the outside chores.  They really sped up the process and helped get the building and the grounds ready for the season.

Most of the helpers of the day.  

Thanks to all who helped.  It was a great day.  The weather held steady and we had some nice food to eat donated by the volunteers.  

The pines that Howard and the scouts "relocated" to their new home behind the ramp.

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Volunteer Picnic 

I had to postpone the picnic since I was unable to do what I would have had to do to make this happen.  We will attempt to reschedule later in the year or maybe just include it in the festivities of the June 4th Children's Festival when we dedicate the lower level Children's Exhibit.  Sorry about that.  
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Board Meeting 

On April 3rd, history was made when the Appalachian Trail Society Board of Directors held their first meeting inside the Museum proper.  The setting was spartan and rough, but much progress was made as the members made their reports and discussed strategy and this season's plans.  

ATMS Board of Directors Meeting

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First Program of the Season 

Normally our Sunday Public Programs start around Memorial Day, but this year we had a special program presented by Gwen Loose and Jess Culton as we participate in the Longwood Garden's Community Read Program.

Gwen starts the show with some history

The topic was "Following in the Footsteps of Emma 'Grandma' Gatewood - Stories of Today's Female Long-Distance Hikers.  The basement was full by 2 pm when the program started with Gwen giving us a great history lesson about the women who hike the trail.  It was very interesting and informative.  Jess "Stretch" Culton followed up with a fabulous presentation of her two Thru Hikes (AT and PCT) with the perfect visual accompaniment of several dozen wonderful photos.  The audience sat in rapt attention as Stretch told her trail stories that reveal the unique culture that is long distance hiking.  

Stretch finishes up with some great advice.

Jess's presentation also covered some good advice that every hiker should be aware of.  It was a very successful presentation here at the Museum.  

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Things Coming Down the Trail

April 16th-17th, 2016 - ATC Flip Flop Kick Off - Harpers Ferry, WV
April 25th, 2016 - Road Scholar Hike
May 1st, 2016 - Program: Screening of "Trail Magic - The Grandma Gatewood Story"
May 9th, 2016 - Road Scholar Hike
May 13th-15th, 2016 - Trail Days - Damascus, VA
June 3rd, 2016 - Sixth Annual Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet
June 4th, 2016 - A.T. Museum Children's Festival - National Trails Day
June 5th, 2016 - Program: With Pickaxes, Rakes, and Shovels: A Pictorial History of the AT in WV, MD and PA.
June 12th, 2016 - Program: Lyme Disease Prevention