Celebrating 100 Years of Discovery.

Jewel Cave National Monument Celebrates 100 Years!

On February 7, 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt signed a proclamation that established Jewel Cave National Monument under the authority of the 1906 Antiquities Act. This created the Monument as part of the National Park System to protect the small, but extraordinarily beautiful cave, which became known for the jewel-like calcite crystals that line the cave walls. One hundred years later, exploration has revealed Jewel Cave to be the second longest cave in the world with a current length of over 141 miles. Exploration continues to reveal the hidden miles of passages, beneath the Black Hills, with a variety of amazing cave formations.

During 2008 Jewel Cave National Monument will celebrate its centennial through a series of events, programs, and exhibits that will highlight the theme "Generations of Discovery".  In anticipation of this significant milestone in the history of Jewel Cave, the Monument staff has been working on improvements to park programs and facilities that will engage the local communities, as well as the many visitors to the Black Hills.

Marc Ohms

Hell's Half Acre

Come Join Us in the Centennial Celebration.

The centennial celebration will formally begin on February 9, 2008 in the visitor center of the Monument with a special program to commemorate the anniversary. Honored guests and former cave explorers Herb and Jan Conn will present a program on their years of exploration as they mapped over 62 miles of cave passages. Other special guests will join the Conns for this celebration, which will kick off a series of monthly programs focusing on a variety of topics related to the past, present, and future of Jewel Cave. These topics will include: 

• Cave exploration
• Current cave research
• Bats
• Geology
• Civilian Conservation Corps

New programs and activities will be conducted daily during the summer months. These will include:

• Guided hikes
• Programs in the Historic Area
• Junior Ranger activities for kids  

Jewel Cave National Monument has come a long way since early explorers first discovered the wondrous cave formations. The passing years and exploration of new cave passages have provided many significant milestones to celebrate. We hope you will join us in 2008 as we remember the past, examine our role in the present, and prepare for the future generations of discovery.