American Cave Museum, Horse Cave, KY

The American Cave Museum of Horse Cave, KY, is really a powerful testimonial as to how wise land usage and preservation can pay off in modern times. The actual Horse Cave, which was also called the Hidden River Cave, had been closed for years due to the town's using it for a dump site and passing sewage into the river that flowed through the cave.

After a new sewage plant had been built nearby in 1989 and the cave cleaned up, the Cave was reopened and tours began once again. The group responsible for the cleanup is called the American Cave Conservation Association. At the time, Horse Cave was considered to be the most polluted cave in America. The Association built their headquarters on top of the cave, knowing that when it was clean again, that it would serve as a powerful promotion for their organization.

As a result of the successful cleanup of Horse Cave, a museum was created called the American Cave Museum. It would serve as a teaching instrument to prevent polluting natural formations through instructing the public. There are many excellent exhibits that present to listeners valuable information about what causes caves, ground water and how the flow of water and chemicals affects them, how to preserve them, and more.

There is also information and an exhibit about Floyd Collins, one of the greatest early explorers of the region who also turned several other caves into public attractions - making them more easily accessible. One of his great grandsons, in fact, is currently one of the tour guides.

Other exhibits in the Museum talk about prehistoric cave explorers, as well as how caves are explored today, and what modern equipment is used. Other ones give a history of Horse Cave, a history of nearby Mammoth Cave, a photo gallery of caves in America, cave lighting, and an exhibit showing how saltpeter is mined in Kentucky.

Tickets are also sold at the museum that lets you go to the Horse Cave, too. This tour of the cave goes down 150' below ground. It starts out with stairs that descends into the sinkhole - which leads to the entrance of the cave.

Walkways and bridges in the cave are built out of recycled milk containers, which remind the tourist of the Cave's preservation from its trashy past. Because the American Cave Museum, and its parent organization, was created for the preservation of caves, there are also a number of specialized tours offered for different ages that are given to further promote this theme.

Tours are also given that actually let the groups see the cave outside of the beaten path. These "Adventure Tours" take the group to special areas of the cave and the guides teach about different cave structures, cave life, environmental issues, and cave development. These tours can be more strenuous and include bending, hiking, climbing, crawling and getting dirty. Cave safety is discussed beforehand, and helmets and lights are supplied, but warm clothing is also needed. Tours run either two or three hours in length.

Many other well-known caves are also in the area - including Mammoth Cave. Tickets for other caves can be purchased at the American Cave Museum of Horse Cave, KY. Many other sights are also nearby, which are a must-see for you and your family.