Jewel Cave hosts ribbon cutting event

In partnership with the Black Hills Parks and Forests Association, Jewel Cave National Monument is hosting a ribbon cutting event for its new park film and theater on Saturday, Oct. 19. The ribbon cutting ceremony takes place at 10:30 a.m. and is being conducted at the new theater near the visitor center.  This is followed by a showing of the new park film at 11 a.m.
The park film is slated for showing every half hour throughout the day, with the last showing at 4 p.m. Additional event programs include a Behind the Scenes discussion at 11:30 a.m., with Junior Ranger activities at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. A ranger-led hike is also planned for 1 p.m., weather permitting. All programs and activities are free and will start at the visitor center. Superintendent Michelle Wheatley states, “We are thrilled to have a park film that showcases the cave and allows viewers to experience a sense of discovery and exploration on the big screen. The film takes viewers on an incredible underground journey to places where very few people have ever been without leaving the comforts of the monument’s new theater.”
During the summer season, cave tours often fill by late morning. In some instances, visitors cannot take part in the cave tours, due to physical limitations. With on-screen captioning and audio description services, the park film allows all visitors a chance to view the cave and learn about the significance of the site.
Complementing the event, BHPF is also releasing the newly revised Third Edition of The Jewel Cave Adventure, by Herb and Jan Conn. This title traces the early history of Jewel Cave, discovered in 1900, and describes the Conns’ exploration trips from 1959 through the late 1970s. It describes the rigors and joys of two lives dedicated to an unconventional goal.
For more information about the monument, visit nps.gov/jeca or contact the visitor center at (605) 673-8300. The visitor center is currently open during the off-season from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To learn about the happenings at Jewel Cave, follow the monument through social media on Facebook, facebook.com/JewelCaveNPS/ or Instagram, instagram.com/jewelcavenps.