On November 14, 1958 Thomas and Nellie donated their collection to Stetson University in DeLand, FL. The decision to give the collection to Stetson is attributed to the personal relationship established between T.B. and Dr. Robert S. Chauvin, Executive Director and former Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and Professor of the Department of Geography/Geology. Each Semester, Dr. Chauvin would travel with his Geology students to the home of the Gillespies in St. Augustine, Florida. The students would spend hours studying crystalline structures and learning the physical properties of minerals. One of T.B. and Nellie's dreams was beginning to come true: making the collection available for students of all ages to study, enjoy, and appreciate.

Before her death in 1964, Mrs. Gillespie had the satisfaction of seeing the completion of the goal that she and T.B. had set. The collection was now on permanent display at the university.

Even after the collection was donated to Stetson, T.B. continued to actively participate in the preservation and expansion of the collection. He and Dr. Chauvin would begin their travels early in the summer months and travel across the country visiting famous mining locales, professional dealers, and mineral shops.

In May, 1977, T.B. and Chauvin purchased two gold crystal specimens that were found and excavated in Sunnyside Gold Mine near Silverton, Colorado. The crystals were found by Harold Allen, mine engineer, in 1936. Family members can remember stories of T.B. sleeping with the crystals in his pajama pocket during the trip for fear of being robbed. These specimens are rarely seen by the public.

The Purchase of the Acree-Powell House