CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Dunbar Cave, nestled in the middle of Clarksville, is celebrating 50 years as a state park. Also celebrating is the Friends of Dunbar Cave, a group of volunteers formed 25 years ago to support the long cultural and historical significance of the cave and surrounding land.
Brian Meredith, president of the Friends of Dunbar Cave, said the nonprofit raises funds and helps with work needed at the park. That includes fixing and maintaining the trails, the Three Sisters Garden and the wetlands, and supporting events and cave tours.
Cave tours open soon
Cave tours start in May and run through September, and you can pre-register online at tnstateparks.com or register at the Dunbar Cave Visitor Center at the park.
“The cave tours show you the river that runs through it,” Meredith said. “There are different halls that the cave goes into; it shows you stalagmites and stalactites, it also shows you the cave art that is in there, which is actually the oldest cave art in the area.”
Speaking of tours, the Friends of Dunbar Cave was instrumental in providing the Dunbar Cave Virtual Reality Film Project. It allows the secrets of the cave to be shared with those who are not able to take the traditional tours because of limited mobility or other issues.
The Dunbar Cave Virtual Reality Cave Tour can also be accessed at the Dunbar Cave Visitor Center.
Museum partnership
Meredith said the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is partnering with Friends of Dunbar Cave for a 50th anniversary exhibit at the museum. A story to celebrate 50 years of being a state park will also be featured in the July issue of the museum magazine, Second & Commerce.
Coming up soon is Cooling at the Cave, a special event on June 3 from 7-10 p.m. featuring Red River Breeze performing at the mouth of the cave. The concert series is a fundraising providing support for projects and improvements at the park.
How to get involved
With a membership drive planned for June, there are a number of ways to be a member of Friends of Dunbar Cave. Student memberships are $8, individual memberships are $15, household memberships are $25, Thomas Dunbar Society memberships are $100, and a corporate membership is $250.
The Dunbar Cave State Park Visitor Center, along with a gift shop, is at 401 Dunbar Cave Road and is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. The park itself is open from dawn to dusk seven days a week.
For more information, visit tnstateparks.com and search for Dunbar Cave State Park or call 931-648-5526. Ticket information for Cooling at the Cave or for cave tours can be found at friendsofdunbarcave.com, or by emailing friendsofdunbarcave@gmail.com.
Correction: Friends of Dunbar Cave was established 25 years ago. The article has been updated.
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