July 2024 Written by Stalac-Tate Cave of the Mounds Blacklight Tours Dive into a world of fluorescent marvels as Cave of the Mounds proudly introduces our popular tour: Blacklight Tours. This immersive experience promises to illuminate the underground beauty of Wisconsin’s geological treasure like never before. Under the mesmerizing glow of ultraviolet light, visitors will embark on a journey through intricate limestone formations and discover a stunning array of fluorescent formations that transform the cave into a glowing wonderland. Led by our guides, these tours offer a captivatin ..read more

July 2024 Written by Stalac-Tate Nestled deep within the heart of Wisconsin lies a hidden gem awaiting discovery after sundown. Cave of the Mounds is thrilled to announce the launch of their Lantern Tours, offering an enchanting adventure through one of the state’s most cherished natural wonders. Guided by the soft, flickering glow of lanterns, visitors will embark on a journey unlike any other, delving into the mysterious depths of ancient limestone formations and stunning geological features. Led by knowledgeable guides, these tours not only illuminate the intricate beauty of the ca ..read more

April 2024 Written by Stalac-Tate Visitor Center Background In 1978, the Cave of the Mounds built a limestone and wood restaurant/picnic shelter to help serve the growing visitation to this geologic wonder.  As time went on, the building was repurposed solely as a Visitor Center, and now, after nearly 50 years, we are proud to unveil the complete renovation of this beautiful building.  As was typical at the time, it had originally been built with little to no insulation.  So, this renovation added 14″ of insulation to the roof along with all-new HVAC to make it a ver ..read more

April 2024 Written by Stalac-Tate & Holly Enter into a different world Imagine walking into a cave where the stalactites and stalagmites glow bright green, leading you through the darkness. While glowing cave formations may seem like something out of a Sci-Fi novel, Cave of the Mounds has brought fiction to reality. A special mixture of minerals causes our cave formations to glow under ultraviolet light.    And not only that, they keep glowing even when you turn off the lights. By shining a black light on the rock, you charge the stone up like a battery, and that ener ..read more

February 2024 Written by Cal Insight The Wisconsin Idea No two tours are ever quite the same at Cave of the Mounds. Each group brings unique people and their questions and interests inside. It shapes the lessons and stories we share with our guests. My constant with every tour is standing at the cave entrance and seeing the Wisconsin Idea in action.  The general philosophy of the Wisconsin Idea is the notion that classroom boundaries are not classroom walls, but the very boundaries of the state. The earliest definitions of the idea push us to share the best and brightest learn ..read more

January 2024 Written by Stalac-Tate & Sarah Best Brigham Farmhouse is a beautiful historic home with the perfect layout to host a group of friends or multi-generational families. What is Special About This Farmhouse? Brigham Farmhouse rests on 75+ acres in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin. The original property, which once included Cave of the Mounds (across the street) and Brigham County Park, was one of the earliest farms in Dane County and owned by a pioneer settler, Ebenezer Brigham. Ebenezer Brigham originally established the land as a mining operation in 1828 and later ..read more

January 2024 Written by Stalac-Tate & Holly Discover the world of geodes! These quartz-filled rocks seem unassuming on the outside but a treasure within. It’s fun to learn about them and even more fun to break them open!   Learn about the secrets of this unique rock! This free talk about geodes is geared mainly toward children and families, but anyone can participate. After the talk, the speaker will demonstrate how to open a geode and one lucky audience member will receive a free geode.   A Geode appears to be an ordinary concretion of sedimentary or volcanic rock, but ..read more

January 2024 Written by Stalac-Tate Science Programs at Cave of the Mounds The tours and programs offered by Cave of the Mounds are designed to enhance the understanding of topics in science, function as part of a larger discussion of Earth science, provide an opportunity for inquiry, and serve as an example and evidence of our dynamic planet.  Every student can learn in a responsive environment that engages the student in learning opportunities. The opportunities we provide here at Cave of the Mounds serve as a valuable base for establishing a conversation about earth science. T ..read more

November 2023 Written by Holly Caves are something that many of us are familiar with. Maybe you’ve been in one, maybe you’ve been in a hundred, or maybe the only cave you’ve encountered was in a video game or movie. Regardless of your experience or lack thereof, we all have an idea of what a cave is: a hole in the ground. But as scientists, we have to be a little more specific. Scientifically, a cave is a cave when it meets three requirements:  Made of rock  Made by natural forces  Large enough to fit a human Sometimes, a fourth trait is required: 4. La ..read more

September 2023 Written by JoAnn Rocks are boring. Most kids would disagree with you! Many kids find rocks irresistible. They seem wired to have a fascination with (and propensity toward) gathering fistfuls of rocks.  Even the smallest, featureless bits of gravel are fair game. Families needn’t travel far to encourage children in a treasure hunt for rocks.  Smooth, lustrous options can be found just a stone’s throw away from one’s own front door.  Rocks used in landscaping are especially appealing and offer many delightful picks.  Even a local bike path can provide ..read more