Giving Grace: Friends of Dunbar Cave preserves the heritage of a local treasure

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Clarksville is full of history, but some people may not be fully aware of one of our truly historical treasures: Dunbar Cave State Park.

A group of dedicated citizens work to support the cave and help make everyone more aware of what it offers. They are of course the Friends of Dunbar Cave.

Shana Thornton, Friends president, said they are a community group and a nonprofit organization.

“We are a group of citizens who pledge membership, and as members we pledge to preserve, promote and protect the cultural and historical significance of Dunbar Cave State Park,” she said.

Thornton said one way they support the cave is to pay a portion of the salary for one of the seasonal workers through the AmeriCorps Program, which allows for more cave tours, currently open to the public.

The group also supports events like the annual Cooling at the Cave, which because of the pandemic is not being held this summer, but plans are for it to return along with other activities in the future.

Another project supported with funding help from Friends of Dunbar Cave is a plan for a handicapped-accessible walkway around Swan Lake.

Thornton said right now the organization isn’t holding events and fundraisers at the park but are working on increasing membership and visibility.

To help Friends of Dunbar Cave

There are a number of ways to be a member of Friends of Dunbar Cave. Student memberships are $8, Individual memberships $15, household memberships $25, the Thomas Dunbar Society household membership is $100, and the corporate membership is $250.

The Friends of Dunbar Cave meet on the second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m., usually at the park office, but the group has been meeting on Zoom. Thornton added members are not required to be at meetings, but if you want to attend and be more active you are welcome.

There are other ways the community can show its support.

You can email friendsofdunbarcave@gmail.com, and Thornton said the organization is redesigning its website, but you can go to Google and search Friends of Dunbar Cave and donate online.

Donations can also be mailed directly to Friends of Dunbar Cave, P.O. Box 254 Clarksville, TN 37041.

To learn more, visit tnstateparks.com and search for Dunbar Cave State Park, or call the park office at 931-648-5526.