Celebrating 75 years of American Youth Hostels 1934 - 2009

In 2009, Hostelling International celebrated 75 Years of youth hostels in the United States at events in Boston and in Northfield, Massachusetts.

To commemorate HI-USA's 75th anniversary, a plaque was placed at the site of the first American hostel in Northfield, MA. Members, alumni and local officials were on hand to remember Isabel and Monroe Smith as the founders of HI-USA, formerly known as American Youth Hostels.

HI-USA Board Chair Mark Skender, the late hostelling legend Bill Nelson and Executive Director Russ Hedge