73 - Iron Master's Mansion

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Back in January Rylan was introduced to the Iron Master's Mansion hostel. At the time of this recording renovations were taking place to the facilities. Nearly all of the work was being done by volunteers and paid for by contributions. Since the recording the state has taken possession of the building back from Hostelling International. The details of this are covered in the introduction that Rylan and Golden recently recorded.

Lori joined in with several others and arranged this remote podcast for us. This hostel is the midway point of the Appalachian trail and is located in the Pine Grove Furnace state park near Gettysburg. The Iron Masters Mansion being in a historic area is historic itself. It was a stopover on the underground railroad. Lori sent several pictures that are included with this post. We also we learn of the Appalachian Trail museum being constructed nearby.

As we learn in the podcast, Hostelling is run partly from donations. The Delaware Valley Council of American Youth Hostels has a paypal donate button on the main page of their web stie for anyone who wants to get involved. Hostelling International USA's web site has contact info and links for other hostels around the United States.

Lori catches us up on several issues but wanted to announce her involvement with some upcoming trail magic with the Trail Dames. Lori is very involved with the Trail Dames and on this coming Easter weekend they will be feeding thru-hikers at the Mountain Crossing store at Neel's Gap along the Appalachian Trail in Georgia.

Enjoy The Trail!

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Comments (2)

I can't wait to do this section of the AT because this sounds like the best place to spend the night or two.

Unfortunately, the Iron Master's Hostel, as run by the American Youth Hostels, will be no more after April 30 of this year. Hopefully, some organization with deeper pockets and the ability to weather the changing the winds that blow when government is part of the mix will come along and re-open the mansion. Whether it will be used as an education center, a hostel, or some other facility is yet to be determined. The plans for the opening of the AT Museum are still intact, and that should be open in early June this year. And, even if the hostel isn't open, the state park campground is only about 100 yards away, so hikers can camp the night (fee), and hang out on the General Store porch.

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