Shadows of War: 1935-1945
A year after its formation the American Youth Hostels network consisted of more than 30 hostels throughout rural New England primarily to serve cyclists and recreational enthusiasts. Its growth received wide attention, and the endorsement of the president of the United States.
“I was brought up on this sort of thing and realize the need for hostelling,” declared president Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936, when he was honorary AYH president. “This was the best education I ever had, far better than schools.”
Pre-war European political currents overshadowed much of the international movement in the late 1930’s. Hostels were closed, and even appropriated by governments for military purposes. The operations of many European hostelling associations were suspended.
During the war, the growth of the hostelling movement stalled, although parts of the European youth hostel system still continued to operate, as well as a small network of hostels in the US and Canada.