One of the foremost attractions in the park should be an "American Museum of Speleology". Speleology is the study of caverns and what better place to have a national museum of caves than right in this proposed park full of caves! If properly developed, this could become a major tourist attraction within itself, attracting visitors from all over the world.
The Museum should have displays of artifacts and pictures to depict every detail of caves: their development, evolution and demise. It could concentrate upon caves in the Southeast but would be a museum of speleology throughout the world.
Subjects such as cave life and how biosystems of caves affect our lives; the history of mankind's relationship with caves from the dawn of time to the present; hydrology and how underground water systems supply our vital needs; and other fields would be covered by the museum.
The museum should be developed just south of Glory Hole Caverns and adjoining Hawthorne Trail.
The museum would include a major library of books, papers, reports, photos and other information as well as artifacts on every aspect of caves. This library could become a major attraction for students and scholars from all over the world.
It should also include a small auditorium for meetings and instruction. Also at least one classroom where instruction could be offered for scholars, school children and others. It should also contain a laboratory and research center. The museum could be operated with the cooperation of nearby Bainbridge State College.
Educational programs would be offered for school children and adults. National and international conferences of scholars on a wide range of speleological topics could be sponsored by the museum on a regular basis. These programs, lectures and instruction could be operated in conjunction with Bainbridge State College.
If you like what you see on these webpages, then support the development and preservation of Glory Hole Caverns and the other natural wonders in the area. Contact your state senator, state representative and Governor Perdue and urge them to create a major state park for this area to guarantee their preservation -- and create needed jobs for the area. See the main page or the Letter to Governor Perdue to contact them.