Matheson Museum Temporary Exhibits

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.

Alachua County’s Bicentennial Anniversary
Main Gallery
February 2025
To celebrate Alachua County’s Bicentennial Anniversary, our next exhibit will take a broad look at the history of Gainesville and Alachua County over the last 200 years. Early next year, we invite you to come and learn about the waves of history that washed over and shaped the county we know today.

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words: Elmer Harvey Bone
Mary Ann Cofrin Exhibit Hall
April 2025
The Matheson History Museum is privileged to house the Elmer Harvey Bone Photographic Collection. Bone was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in 1885 and moved to Gainesville, Florida, in 1925. An avid photographer since a young age, he first opened a studio with Mr. Van Sickle but then later opened his own studio in downtown. He “retired” at age 83 but continued to photograph events around town. This city lost a great artist when he passed away in 1976 at the age of 90.

The collection consists of over 10,000 photographs and negatives from 1929 to 1969 showcasing a visual history of Gainesville and its people. He photographed everything from homecoming parades to construction sites to group picnics to individual portraits to river baptisms. He saw beauty in the everyday mundane and routine. We are excited and honored to showcase his work!

Handcrafted History: Alachua County in Scrapbooks
Main Exhibit Hall
Our collection is home to a variety of scrapbooks that were created by clubs and organizations throughout Alachua County. They give unique insight into our collective history.