During our May 2018 incursion into the GW Masonic Cave we took additional pictures of many (but still only a small portion) of the cavern’s walls, which contain additional drawings and etchings done by an untold number of visitors and Masonic pilgrims over the past 200+ years.
These took the form of etchings, drawings, even what appears to be some painting. These findings were in various stages of decay, and in many cases the inscriptions in the cave overlap, making them rather hard to easily decipher. Some suggest symbols, possibly related to the cave’s purported Masonic use.
Keep in mind this cave has never been excavated or even explored by expert archeologists. We made a concerted effort not to damage or leave any trace of our visit.
As you scroll through these images you may want to zoom in and scroll around to see various levels of detail.
Multiple wall carvings that appear to span long period of time, this is a typical example of what the cave’s walls look like.A section right above the last photo.
Same area as the last several pictures.
Many carvings appear to be symbols, individual letters, etc. The significance of these is not clear to these two amateur spelunkers.An old inscription, “1801” (i.e. left here during the Johns Adams administration!)Some old carvings are so faded you can scarcely even see them without very close inspection.
Trying to make sense of what we see. It can be hard. The cave wall has its own cracks and crevices, and it all sort of blends together at times.
Various carvings.At first we were fooled by this “G”, thinking it might be the work of GW. Only a while later did we finally locate the genuine inscription.Another close up shot.You can see how wall scratchings of different ages layer one on top of another. The older one here appears to read either 1815 or 1875.Another visitor, another wall tagging.Same section as above.What appears to be black paint.People seem to leave their mark in various different sizes.Pointing out some more features.This appears to be left by a Freemason.More detail of the cave, this time on the ceiling overhang.More evidence of visitors.Possibly a date?Another picture of cave vandalism.Another shot.Close up of old markings.Another shot of what appears to be symbolism.Just above and to the right or the last picture.Shining the light on some old history.
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more detail of where the vertebral body was found.
Carvings and fading red paint.Some more of the same.We are unclear as to the meaning of the aging red paint, which seemed to be situated right around or together with many of the old carvings.More remnants of old red paint. This appeared to us to be painted on, rather than sprayed on with a can.More traces of red paint.And more still.
Cave wall detail.
This carving is nearly gone, likely due to a very wet location in the cave.
More evidence of cavers coming through.Here it appears someone chipped away part of the cave wall. A souvenir, perhaps?Zoom in and see what you find.Red pain seemed to find its way in many sections of the cave, including here.More red paint shows up here.
I am a Johns Hopkins-trained, board certified adult psychiatrist with additional sub-specialty training in Psychosomatic Medicine. I live and practice medicine in Northern Virginia.
