Using the geoheritage framework to explore the intersection of diverse legacies at Grand Caverns, Virginia, USA

Abstract

Abstract Grand Caverns is the oldest show cave in continuous operation in the contiguous United States. Discovered in 1804, Grand Caverns has been offering at least one tour per year continuously from 1806 until now. For more than two centuries Grand Caverns – which is host to diverse and uncommon solution cave speleothems, such as cave shields – has served as the centre for multidisciplinary research related to limestones in Virginia and has accrued historical accounts relevant to the Shenandoah Valley (nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Allegheny Mountains to the west) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In this article, we explore the geological, historical, mapping and geotourism legacies of Grand Caverns, using its geoheritage as a narrative framework. In addition, we discuss the intersection of historical and diverse concurrent heritages at Grand Caverns and their relevance for understanding national show caves and cave development processes, and we share ongoing efforts towards the construction of a proposal to elevate Grand Caverns to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage list.