1977- ACCA founded in Richmond, Virginia by a small group of cavers, cave scientists, and
conservationists.
1970s - ACCA pioneer design and construction of cave gates led by long term ACCA member and leader Roy Powers, Jr. Image
1982 - ACCA hosts National Cave Management Symposium in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
1984 - ACCA begins developing programs including the National Cave Management Training Seminars,
American Caves magazine, and a cave management publication.
1985 - ACCA helps design and build the largest cave gate in the world at the Hubbards Cave Preserve in
Tennessee. Image
1987 - ACCA moves headquarters to Horse Cave, Kentucky in 1987 to work on the restoration of Hidden
River Cave. Pictured in ACCA's fist Horse Cave office are Directors Tricia Daugherty, Roy Powers and
Tom Aley. Image
1987 - ACCA begins volunteer projects to restore Hidden River Cave. Image - the entrance sink during
the first cleanup project
1988 - ACCA completes feasibility study for the American Cave and Karst Center in Horse Cave.
1989 - ACCA develops solid waste management plan for Hart County, Kentucky and launches major solid
waste educational program.
1989 - Groundbreaking for American Cave and Karst Center. Image - the building prior to construction
1989 - ACCA's support of a new regional waste treatment project ends the dumping of community sewage
into Hidden River Cave. Image - new sewage treatment facility
1991 - ACCA constructs initial exhibits for the American Cave Museum with grants from the James
Graham Brown Foundation, Bingham Fund, and W.L. Lyons Brown Foundation. Image - ACCA Director
Dave Foster discusses Hidden River Cave with donors Ina Bond, Sally Brown and Barry Bingham, Jr.
Image -Designer Terry Chase works on a mural in the American Cave Museum
Image - Chase Studio designs a large cave formation in the American Cave Museum
1991 - Hidden River Cave survey begins. Survey coordinator Mike Yocum takes a compass reading - Image
Hidden River Cave is now more than 10 miles long and new passages are still being discovered.
1991 - Elevator constructed Hidden Rives Cave entrance - Image
1992 - Grand Opening of the American Cave Museum (formerly American Cave and Karst Center) Image
ACCA signs 99 year operating agreement with City of Horse Cave for the American Cave Museum and
Hidden River Cave. Image - Roy Powers accepts the key to the City from Horse Cave mayor, Joanne
Smith
ACCA purchase Hidden River Cave from Bill and Judy Austin on behalf of the City of Horse Cave. Image
ACCA Begins series of public education programs with Kentucky Division of Water Nonpoint Source
Division - Image
1999 - Former Kentucky Governor Nunn speaks at a reception at Hidden River Cave - Image
2004 - ACCA purchased Sunset Dome - largest room in Hidden River Cave - Image
2007 and 2008 ACCA removes more than 200 tons of garbage from Saltpeter Pit in Pulaski County. The
cave was home to one of the largest colonies of Rafinesque's Big-eared bats in the nation.
Before picture - Image After picture - Image.
During the project - Image Image Image
2007 - ACCA renovates and expands the American Cave Museum (picture coming)
2007 - Mike Rowe with the Discovery ChannePs "Dirty Jobs" program films two shows with ACCA.
Filming a program on Cave Biology at Hidden River Cave - Image Image
Cleaning a dump site near Sulfur Well, Kentucky - Image
conservationists.
1970s - ACCA pioneer design and construction of cave gates led by long term ACCA member and leader Roy Powers, Jr. Image
1982 - ACCA hosts National Cave Management Symposium in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
1984 - ACCA begins developing programs including the National Cave Management Training Seminars,
American Caves magazine, and a cave management publication.
1985 - ACCA helps design and build the largest cave gate in the world at the Hubbards Cave Preserve in
Tennessee. Image
1987 - ACCA moves headquarters to Horse Cave, Kentucky in 1987 to work on the restoration of Hidden
River Cave. Pictured in ACCA's fist Horse Cave office are Directors Tricia Daugherty, Roy Powers and
Tom Aley. Image
1987 - ACCA begins volunteer projects to restore Hidden River Cave. Image - the entrance sink during
the first cleanup project
1988 - ACCA completes feasibility study for the American Cave and Karst Center in Horse Cave.
1989 - ACCA develops solid waste management plan for Hart County, Kentucky and launches major solid
waste educational program.
1989 - Groundbreaking for American Cave and Karst Center. Image - the building prior to construction
1989 - ACCA's support of a new regional waste treatment project ends the dumping of community sewage
into Hidden River Cave. Image - new sewage treatment facility
1991 - ACCA constructs initial exhibits for the American Cave Museum with grants from the James
Graham Brown Foundation, Bingham Fund, and W.L. Lyons Brown Foundation. Image - ACCA Director
Dave Foster discusses Hidden River Cave with donors Ina Bond, Sally Brown and Barry Bingham, Jr.
Image -Designer Terry Chase works on a mural in the American Cave Museum
Image - Chase Studio designs a large cave formation in the American Cave Museum
1991 - Hidden River Cave survey begins. Survey coordinator Mike Yocum takes a compass reading - Image
Hidden River Cave is now more than 10 miles long and new passages are still being discovered.
1991 - Elevator constructed Hidden Rives Cave entrance - Image
1992 - Grand Opening of the American Cave Museum (formerly American Cave and Karst Center) Image
ACCA signs 99 year operating agreement with City of Horse Cave for the American Cave Museum and
Hidden River Cave. Image - Roy Powers accepts the key to the City from Horse Cave mayor, Joanne
Smith
ACCA purchase Hidden River Cave from Bill and Judy Austin on behalf of the City of Horse Cave. Image
ACCA Begins series of public education programs with Kentucky Division of Water Nonpoint Source
Division - Image
1999 - Former Kentucky Governor Nunn speaks at a reception at Hidden River Cave - Image
2004 - ACCA purchased Sunset Dome - largest room in Hidden River Cave - Image
2007 and 2008 ACCA removes more than 200 tons of garbage from Saltpeter Pit in Pulaski County. The
cave was home to one of the largest colonies of Rafinesque's Big-eared bats in the nation.
Before picture - Image After picture - Image.
During the project - Image Image Image
2007 - ACCA renovates and expands the American Cave Museum (picture coming)
2007 - Mike Rowe with the Discovery ChannePs "Dirty Jobs" program films two shows with ACCA.
Filming a program on Cave Biology at Hidden River Cave - Image Image
Cleaning a dump site near Sulfur Well, Kentucky - Image
Brief History of ACCA
American Cave Conservation Association
