Rock of Ages Program: Recent Episodes
National Park Service
The Rock of Ages Program is an annual living history program conducted by the interpretive staff at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. It is traditionally a lantern-guided tour through the front section of the Big Room featuring characters from the park’s storied past. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Rock of Ages Program is presented to you in the vein of a radio theater podcast. Revisit this page as we release nine episodes over the next few weeks. Sit back, relax, and listen to our park’s history…
In this episode, we have some fun. Travel forward in time with us to 2030, and imagine how stories about this place might continue to be shared in the future.
Rewind with us to 1985 and ascend to new heights, as cavers in the Big Room use a creative and colorful technique to reach places formerly considered unreachable.
On this episode, we tackle a story of sacrifice and tell the story of two brothers of the 200th Coast Artillery as they visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park days before being shipped to the Pacific Theater of World War II.
In 1957, we listen as Dr. Constantine completes his groundbreaking research on bat skeletons found inside the park. What mysteries await him in those dusty bones?
Journey with us to 1939, to the famed Rock of Ages ceremony, and follow Bertha Bailey as she meets park superintendent Colonel Thomas Boles and prepares for a very special version of the ceremony.
This episode takes us stroll through the cave in 1963, alongside some well-known voices, who are looking to glean inspiration from the spectacular sight before them.
This episode leaves Carlsbad Cavern itself and takes us to another famous cave in the park—Lechuguilla Cave—where deep underground two scientists look for signs of life unlike anything we’ve seen before.
In 1961, we wait with a Park Ranger and a reporter inside Carlsbad Cavern, as a nuclear bomb is set off 34 miles away.
In our first episode we travel back to 1928, where Superintendent Colonel Thomas Boles meets with a special guest, one who is known for her daring feats above ground, rather than below.
We’re thrilled to welcome everyone to our unique radio theater Rock of Ages experience.