Origins: 1909-1934
The youth hostel idea was conceived in 1909 by Richard Shirrmann, an elementary school teacher living in the industrial center of Germany. He became alarmed at the impact of the industrial revolution on his students’ health and welfare. He created a “wandering school” on weekends by taking students on field trips into the countryside for fresh air and exposure to nature. Students unrolled their bedding each night in school buildings. The concept of student “youth hostels” was born.
The movement flourished in Germany. Permanent hostels were established by gifts of hiking and recreation clubs, wealthy patrons and local communities. By 1932, Germany had more than 2000 youth hostels recording more than 4.5 million overnights annually. In the meantime, Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, the British Isles, Ireland, France and Belgium had joined the movement and added another 600 hostels in Europe.
With national hostelling associations spreading across Europe, in 1932 the first international meeting was held in Amsterdam to develop common standards. The International Youth Hostel Federation was formed.
Americans Isabel and Monroe Smith attended the second international meeting in 1933. Shortly afterwards, they opened the first U.S. youth hostel in Northfield, Massachusetts in 1934. American Youth Hostels (AYH) was born.