russell cave was named after colonel thomas russell, a veteran of the american revolutionary war from north carolina, who owned the property at the time when maps of the area were drawn. the surrounding land, called doran's cove, is named after major james doran, the brother-in-law of russell and the original owner of the land. following excavation and reporting in 1956, the land was purchased by the national geographic society and donated to the american people. the area was designated as a national monument in 1961 during the presidency of john f. kennedy.