The Lone Scout Foundation was born of the dreams of old-time Lone Scouts and their desire to perpetuate what they felt was unique Scouting history.

In the piedmont area of North Carolina, two small groups of old-time Lone Scouts, banded together for fellowship and to perpetuate the friendships formed in their boyhood days as Lone Scouts of America. One group was known as the Catawba Tribe and the other as the Beaver Tribe. At their joint gatherings, often there was talk about "the good ol' days" and how wonderful it would be if these old Lone Scouts had a clubhouse of their own. This "memory lodge" would be a house of memories and a place to meet. In it they could preserve their history, display much of their Lone Scout memorabilia, and perpetuate the lore about the program they had enjoyed being a part of so many years ago.

The only real obstacle they encountered was the cost of building their "lodge of memories" and how to finance that cost. They decided to make a proposal to the next Elbeetian Legion reunion to be held in Indians Rocks, Florida. The presentation was made, accepted and the proposal was in action.

By 1968, plans for Lone Scout Memory Lodge had been drawn. It was to be housed in the W. D. Boyce Building. A suitable location at the Central North Carolina Council Camp, John J. Barnhardt Scout Camp, on the Cannon Scout Reservation, near Albemarle, North Carolina, had been offered by the B.S.A. and was accepted. Plans for financing the Lodge had been devised.

The membership of the Lone Indian Fellowship and Elbeetian Legion came through with most of the funds needed, along with most of the construction labor. Individuals and corporations donated materials and services.

Construction progressed at a steady pace, mostly provided by local, old-timer volunteers from North Carolina, but work weekends brought ready hands from all over the East coast. The job was completed in July 1970. The W. D. Boyce Building is mostly constructed of pink Salisbury granite. It is 32 x 65 feet in size. A considerable achievement for the old-time Lone Scouts as most of them had already qualified for Social Security!

The Lone Scout Memory Lodge houses the largest collection of Lone Scout memorabilia in the world. Many prominent, as well as little known Lone Scouts have deposited their personal Lone Scout material here for future generations to enjoy. The museum is open during summer camp at Camp Barnhardt and at other times by appointment. Persons desiring to visit should write to either the Camp Ranger, Camp John J. Barnhardt, 42830 Cannon Road, New London, North Carolina 28127, or the Lone Scout Foundation, 57 Confederate Way, Stafford, Virginia 22554-5175, far enough in advance to assure that an attendant will be available to allow entrance.