BENSON P. GUENTHER LIBRARY

The Benson P. Guenther Library will be created on the second floor of the Cave House Museum of Mining & Geology, the Museum’s Board of Directors has announced.

“In a resolution at our recent meeting,” said Board President Michael Galasso, “the members voted unanimously to create this library to honor Mr. Guenther’s dedication to the success of this Museum and its educational mission.”

Mr. Guenther, who resides in Decatur, is a member of the Museum’s Board of Directors and serves as Education Director of both the Cave House Museum and Howe Caverns, Inc. The library will be devoted to educational research for those who study geology, paleontology, speleology, and mining.

Mr. Guenther began exploring caves as a hobby 40 years ago. Because of cave exploration, he also began to study geology and paleontology. For the last 16 years, Mr. Guenther has worked on a comprehensive study of the cave system that is comprised of both Howe Caverns and the lower cave, the entrance to which adjoins the Cave House Museum.

In their resolution, the board noted: “Through Ben’s fastidious research, future generations will benefit from the body of knowledge he has assembled about the Cave House, the quarry and the magnificent cave that is its ‘hidden treasure’.”

“Ben Guenther has given tirelessly of his time and talent to bring the Cave House Museum to reality.” said Board Vice President Robert Holt, who also serves as General Manager of Howe Caverns.

“The Cave House Museum,” Mr. Holt said, “has benefitted beyond measure from Ben’s experience as a caver and his expert knowledge of the entire Howe Caverns system. The creation of this library is the board’s way to thank Ben for his tireless efforts to create and sustain the Cave House Museum.”

ABOUT THE CAVE HOUSE MUSEUM
The Cave House Museum of Mining & Geology reopens weekends beginning on May 23 and is located at 136 Blowing Rock Road. The Museum has an on-site gift shop, architectural renderings of the project and a wealth of displays. Among the displays are discoveries made while exploring the portion of the cave that has been closed to the public for more than a century.

The Museum is a not-for-profit organization and is accredited by New York State. Currently under construction, it is scheduled for completion in 2009 at a cost of about $8 million. Land for the project was donated by Cobleskill Stone Products, which also has contributed labor and equipment for the project. The project is funded primarily through donations and fund-raising efforts.

Plans for the new Cave House Museum include showing the on-site quarry, along with displays of heavy earth-moving and rock-crushing equipment. When completed, the project also will combine elements of tourism, education, and agribusiness, according to the Cave House Museum’s Honorary Chairman Emil Galasso, who also is president of Cobleskill Stone Products and a co-owner of Howe Caverns, Inc.

In addition, there are plans to expand tours of Howe Caverns beyond the popular boat ride on the underground Lake of Venus, and connecting it to more than 1,800 feet of undeveloped cave near the Museum.

The second most-visited natural attraction in New York State, Howe Caverns is located off Exit 22 of I-88, between Albany and Cooperstown. Howe Caverns opens daily at 9 a.m. and is closed only on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
For further information about Howe Caverns, call 518-296-8900 or visit www.howecaverns.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Kathy Condon * Condon Communications
PH: 518-436-1103 * FAX: 518-436-7346
E-MAIL: kcondon@howecaverns.com