Chartered in 1965, SMG is celebrating its 60th Anniversary in 2025! At the 2015 NSS Convention, SMG was acknowledged for its 50 years of service to the Society.

 

The grotto has made many contributions to caving, especially in the areas of exploration, mapping, and conservation. Many members are active project cavers, pushing the bounds of our current maps and adding to them. Many of our members are also active in the Tennessee Cave Survey or the Southeastern Cave Conservancy. Grotto members stay busy with conservation efforts such as cave cleanups, gate installation, bat counts, and working with landowners.  Membership dues are $10.00 a year for regular members, $5.00 for students, and $2.00 a year for additional family members.