History of the PCC

• 1983
  • In the fall of 1983, cavers in eastern Pennsylvania were faced with the closure of a popular caving site, Dreibilbis Cave in Berks County. To counter this closure, representatives from Bucks County Grotto, Greater Allentown Grotto, Philadelphia Grotto, and York Grotto met and established a committee: The Eastern Pennsylvania Cave Management Committee. Later the name was changed to the Pennsylvania Cave Conservancy with Jeff Uhl serving as the first chairman. Only grottos of Pennsylvania and other interested individuals were eligible for membership.

  • On December 12, 1983, the group filed for recognition as a non-profit corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth approved the non-profit corporation.

• 1984
  • Franklin County Grotto and Nittany Grotto were accepted as new members of the PCC.

  • A gate was placed on Dreibilbis Cave and a visitation policy was established.

  • The gating of Red Church Cave became a project and was finished in November. The landowner subsequently closed the cave.

  • The Board approved a design for a logo and the establishment of a newsletter and Jay Longenderfer was the first editor.

• 1985
  • In October, The Huntingdon County Cave Hunters, The Northwestern Pennsylvania Cave Survey (Ed Frank) and the Pittsburgh Grotto were accepted as new members of the PCC.

• 1987
  • A Cave Legislation Committee was formed to introduce cave protection legislation to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

• 1998
  • The PCC was reactivated February 28, 1998.

  • Loyalhanna Grotto was accepted as a new member of the PCC.

  • The by-laws were amended to allow grottos of the Mid Appalachian Region to become members of the PCC and an official mission statement was adopted.

  • Commander Cody Caving Club, Baltimore Grotto, and Central New Jersey Grotto were accepted as new members of the PCC. The Mid-Atlantic Karst Conservancy was accepted as an Associate member.

  • It was decided that the PCC would apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

  • The PCC adopted a Project List and the establishment of a Web page was approved.

• 1999
  • The PCC applied for and was accepted as an NSS Conservancy.

  • Approval was given for the PCC to purchase Deerbone Cave in Centre County, PA.

• 2000
  • On February 23rd, the PCC Web Site went online.

  • At the Winter Business Meeting in February, Seven Valleys Grotto was accepted as a new member of the PCC.

  • In May, the PCC was granted its request for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. The PCC is now a tax-exempt, not-for-profit corporation, incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

  • At the Fall Business Meeting in September, Loyalhanna Grotto resigned from the PCC and South Jersey Grotto was accepted as a new member of the PCC.

• 2002
  • At the Spring Business Meeting in May, Buffalo Valley Grotto was accepted as a new member of the PCC.

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