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

July 2023 Written by Stalac-Tate Going Solar WI Destination Embraces Sustainable Travel Cave of the Mounds, located west of Madison in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, unveils new solar panels. After more than a year of planning, this dream has become a reality. The new installment will reduce Cave of the Mounds’ carbon footprint by more than 50%. Visitors will be able to see the impact of the solar panels on a display that will be installed later in the year. “Sunshine is coming to light up the total darkness of Cave of the Mounds!” said Communications Manager, Tate Phillip. She is enthus ..read more

July 2023 Written by Stalac-Tate SOMETHING OLD BELOW GROUND Over a million years ago, deep beneath the ground, Cave of the Mounds began to form. Water gradually dissolved the rock to create this magical underground world. A tour through Cave of the Mounds is an experience you and your family will never forget. In fact, people often return to the Cave again and again, bringing back family or friends to share in this amazing experience.  The United State Department of the Interior designated Cave of the Mounds a National Natural Landmark because the site possesses “exceptional ..read more

July 2023 Written by Stalac-Tate The most significant cave in the upper Midwest, a National Natural Landmark, Cave of the Mounds lies just off U.S. Highways 18/151 in Blue Mounds.   The United States Department of the Interior designated Cave of the Mounds a National Natural Landmark because the site possesses “exceptional value as an illustration of the nation’s natural heritage and contributes to a better understanding of man’s environment.” Commonly referred to as the “jewel box” of America’s major caves, for the variety and delicacy of its formations. The Chicago Academy of S ..read more