Since its grand opening in 1994, the Matheson History Museum has been an integral part of our city’s cultural landscape, welcoming visitors from north central Florida and beyond. We strive to make the museum accessible and welcoming to all.
Located in the heart of downtown Gainesville, the Matheson History Museum is home to the 1867 Matheson House, permanent and temporary exhibits on Alachua County and Florida history, and a local history library and archives filled with resources for the researcher and the curious alike. Throughout the year we host a variety of programs on local and Florida history.
We Are Here: Stories from Multilingual Speakers in North Central Florida
Mary Ann Cofrin Exhibit Hall
Immigrant inclusion requires us to think about languages other than English, and to listen to the stories that people carry through their languages and their cultures. We are Here highlights stories from people who speak multiple languages in North Central Florida. Through visual collages that centralize cultural images, We Are Here illustrates the immigration journeys of our North Central Florida community through stories that hold power in multiple languages. These stories include examples of successes, struggles, hopes, injustices, and dreams of a more inclusive and just community. The goal is to showcase these stories, make visible the language diversity present in our community, and advocate for all of our neighbors’ right to access information in their preferred languages.
Return to Forever: Gainesville’s Great Southern Music Hall
Main Exhibit Hall
Between 1974 and 1978, the top concert venue in Gainesville was the Great Southern Music Hall, located inside the historic Florida Theatre at 233 West University Avenue. Jeffrey Meldon and Jim Forsman purchased the venue and transformed it into a state-of-the-art concert hall spotlighting national artists of legendary status, those who had cult followings – and others they just plain liked. The Great Southern played host to a who’s who of prestigious performers including Jimmy Buffett, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Bob Seger, Steve Martin, Ike and Tina Turner, John Prine, the Count Basie Orchestra, Weather Report, Randy Newman, Rush, Cheech & Chong and dozens more. This impactful exhibit showcases dozens of John Moran‘s performance photos from his two years as the Great Southern Music Hall house photographer.