The Cave
The Cave, a dining facility on campus, is located in the basement of Mather Hall. Food is available to order and eat there, as well as a convenience store-esque space where students may buy snacks, fresh produce, and beverages. Payments for meals and snacks are made through credit cards, Bantam Bucks, or meal swipes. Originally located in the basement of Hamlin Hall, which may have been the inspiration for the name, the Cave has existed in some form on campus since the late 1940s.
In a 1957 Trinity Tripod article, the author, while complaining about the low quality and lack of variety of the food, stated that though the Cave had originally been a snack bar, it had expanded to more resemble a small dining hall. The Cave remained in Hamlin Hall until the opening of Mather in the 1960s. At that time, the Cave gained additional seating area when a lounge was attached to it. This attached space serves as a place for students to eat and relax, as well as a community space for events and lectures.
Sources
The Trinity College Handbook, 1988-1989.
The Trinity College Handbook, 1959-1960.
The Trinity Tripod, 05/01/1957.