American Cave Museum

The nonprofit American Cave Conservation Association (ACCA) operates Hidden River Cave and the American Cave Museum as part of our educational initiative to support the protection of caves, karstlands, and groundwater resources.

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A state-of-the-art showcase of underground natural history – a little bit of Smithsonian in rural Kentucky.”

— William Stolzenburg
Nature Conservancy Magazine May/June 1995

American Cave Museum-Stalactites and Column Exhibit

“A state-of-the-art showcase of underground natural history – a little bit of Smithsonian in rural Kentucky.”

— William Stolzenburg
Nature Conservancy Magazine May/June 1995

American Cave Museum Exhibits

Your visit to Kentucky Cave Country will not be complete without an in-depth look at the fascinating world of caves. Discover the history and science of America’s natural caverns through fun, educational and informative exhibits at the American Cave Museum-the only museum devoted solely to caves in the United States.

Karst Geology

Learn about caves and their formations, sinkholes and the unique issues of living in a karst area.

Archaeology

If you thought cavemen were the only people who used caves in the past, think again. Find out about the vast human history that can be discovered in caves.

The Many Uses of Caves

Throughout history caves have been used for shelter, as a source for water (and in the case of Hidden River Cave-for electricity), food preservation and tourism.

American Cave Museum-Archaeology Exhibits

American Cave Museum-Cave Formation Exhibits

American Cave Museum-Many Uses of Caves Exhibits (photo by Jim Nieland)

Groundwater Quality

Learn about the issues affecting our most important resource, and what you can do to protect it.

Cave Wildlife

Discover the diversity of life inside caves, and find out about the unique animals that only inhabit the subterranean world.

The Early History of Mammoth Cave, Kentucky Show Cave Wars & Floyd Collins

Kentucky’s cave country is rich in history. Learn how saltpeter was mined from Mammoth Cave during the war of 1812. View historic photos from the Kentucky Show Cave Wars where cave owners competed aggressively to get tourists to visit their caves. These “wars” culminated in the ill-fated cave rescue of Floyd Collins, a cave explorer and owner of Crystal Cave. Floyd’s story captivated the nation in 1925 and today he is memorialized as the “Greatest Cave Explorer Ever Known.”