Part of a series of articles titled Overview of Cultural Landscape and National Register Documentation.
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Cultural Landscape Significance at Mammoth Cave Historic District
NPS / Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky became part of the National Park Service in July 1941 to preserve the extensive system of underground passages and formations that had long been the object of exploration, scientific research, and tourism. The cave was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 and as part of an International Biosphere Reserve in 1990, indicating its unique importance.
The Mammoth Cave Historic District was listed to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, recognizing the area's significance as a focus of tourism and other historic cultural use. The Multiple Property Documentation Form and several related National Register nominations identified an overarching period of significance of 1806 to 1941, related to its importance in areas of industry, entertainment and recreation, and health and medicine. The 2021 Mammoth Cave Historic District Cultural Landscape Report (CLR) proposed a potential change to the historic district in the National Register, expanding both the property boundary and the criteria, areas, and period of significance.
Library of Congress
For example, while the 1991 nomination identified the cave’s importance as a commercial and tourist attraction, it did not address its significance in the area of exploration. Beginning around 1798, various groups and individuals explored the caves, expanding the knowledge of accessible passages and contributing to settlement in the Mammoth Cave area of Kentucky.
Stephen Bishop was one of these guides. Bishop was born into slavery and brought to Mammoth Cave in 1838, when he was in his late teens. After learning tour routes from white guides, he ventured farther into the cave system, identifying the areas and avenues that would be followed by many subsequent visitors and tour guides. With the tips from his guiding, he purchased his and his wife’s freedom from enslavement in 1856.
Additionally, the CLR addresses the role of New Deal-era programs in improving access to and within the cave. In the 1930s, government agencies such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) were instrumental in the development and establishment of Mammoth Cave National Park. CCC crew members made trail improvements and alterations to existing cave entrances. The CLR also evaluates the significance of the NPS Mission 66 program, related to development during the 1950s and 1960s.
NPS (hosted by Open Parks Network)
Taking this research and physical evidence into consideration, the CLR recommends extending the National Register period of significance of the historic district to circa 1798 to 1969. This begins with the first known historic period cave exploration, which led to later industry and tourism, and continues until the completion of Mission 66 programs and projects. Further study is needed to develop a historic context for the pre-contact era use of the cave, which could support revising the start of the period of significance to circa 500 BCE.
The CLR documents landscape features that contribute to this proposed change to the period of significance, playing a vital role in evaluation, interpretation, and preservation planning.
Explore This Landscape
Core Visitor Services AreaRelated Documentation
National Register of Historic Places
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Multiple Property Documentation Form: Kentucky MPS Mammoth Cave National Park (1991)
Cultural Landscape Reports
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Mammoth Cave Historic District Cultural Landscape Report (2021)
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Core Visitors Services Area Cultural Landscape Report (2016)
Period of Significance
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Mammoth Cave Historic District: 1798-1969
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Update to National Register listing, proposed in CLR
Last updated: December 19, 2023