Appalachian Trail Museum celebrates successful season

(Gardners) -- The Appalachian Trail Museum in Cumberland County is celebrating a successful third season as the year draws to a close.

More than 7,000 visitors stopped by the museum located at the midpoint of the 2,184 mile-long trail in Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

The museum's founder, Larry Luxenberg, says more than 23,000 people have visited the location inside a 200 year-old, restored grist mill since it was converted into exhibit space in 2010.

He says the museum gained popularity this year due to its convenient location and due to the observance of the Appalachian Trail's 75th anniversary.

The museum will open for its fourth season in the spring of 2013 and will remain open through early fall.

The Appalachian Trail stretches across 14 states from Maine to Georgia.