Russell Cave National Monument is a United States National Monument in Bridgeport in northeastern Alabama. Its cave shelter archaeological site contains the most complete record of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast.
Russell Cave National Monument is the oldest rock shelter used regularly for a home in the Eastern United States. Inhabited during all Prehistoric time periods (Paleo, Archaic, Woodland and Mississippian), Russell Cave's artifacts represent nearly every culture inhabiting the region for over 10,000 years.
Russell Cave National Monument gets its name from Thomas Russell and his family. They owned the property when the area was mapped between 1835 and 1928.
Russell Cave became a National Monument on May 11, 1961. The National Geographic Society donated 310 acres to the American people because of the great archaeological discoveries there.
Russell Cave National Monument has no fees or admission charges, but requests reservations for groups of twenty or more people at least two weeks in advance.
- Museum exhibits
- Movies about the lifeways of prehistoric people
- Demonstrations of prehistoric tools and weapons
Activities available free of charge include:
- A ranger guided tour of the cave shelter
- Nature hike along Alabama Birding Trail site #44
- Picnic areas