Today, the Gillespie Museum is able to provide its audience a place in which curiosity, interest and creativity can be explored. Programs are provided for families, schools, scouts, visiting tourists, ASTC (Association of Science and Technology), and the Central Florida community. It is the belief of the Museum staff that participants must be active in their own education, learning how to think, not simply what to think. Thus, the Museum's programs focus on using the educational collections to help students learn basic science skills such as observation, classification, communication, investigation, and interpretation.

The Museum also provides outreach programs by participating in community events such as the county "Earth Fest" and "Earth Day" celebrations, local festivals, scouting events, and school programs. Special events are offered to the community such as the "Annual Mineral Shows" (1996 - 1999), Family Day at the Gillespie, Grand Re-opening, Earth Day Celebration (2006, 2007), and others.

SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONS:

Native Florida Landscape established in 1998

Adoption as "an earth science museum in a natural setting" in 1998

Annual Events

Membership

New Exhibits (thanks in part to Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs)

Renovation

New Gift Shop

Volunteer program

Addition of the Rinker Environmental Learning Center