A piece of Mammoth Cave National Park will be on exhibit at the Smithsonian to commemorate America’s 250th birthday. The National Museum of Natural History’s new exhibit ‘From These Lands: Sharing our Natural and Cultural Heritage’ showcases the diverse natural history of the United States.

Exhibit Details

The new exhibit features 600 pieces collected from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. Included in the exhibit is a gypsum stalactite from Mammoth Cave, the world’s longest cave system. A piece of the icicle-shaped mineral deposit from the cave system will be on display alongside fossils, insects, minerals and more from across the country.

A ravine salamander and red-legged buprestis are also on display to represent Kentucky. The exhibit opens Thursday and runs through December 2029. An interactive, online version of the Smithsonian exhibit, including a map of artifacts, is available on the Smithsonian’s website.

Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.