The Gillespie Museum

The museum is open with regular hours - Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - and monthly Science Saturdays and Science Cafes. Plan a visit to see what's new! You can check out our fall schedule below, and join our mailing list to stay informed!

You are also welcome to wander through the grounds, including the Native Florida Landscape and the Volusia Sandhill Ecosystem. (Guides to both outdoor spaces are available online at the webpage links above and in the Pollination Station box near the sidewalk between the museum building and the Rinker Environmental Learning Center-RELC.)

See our Educational Resources Page for a wonderful collection of downloadable materials for engaging at home, museum grounds, and outdoor learning.

The Gillespie Museum features one of the premier historic mineral collections in the southeast, and seasonally changing exhibits on an array of earth science and natural history topics. With native ecology interpretive and research areas and other multi-use eco-areas across its grounds, and a dedication to inspired environmental programming, the Gillespie has become a center for science education on campus, in the local community, and beyond.

Find out about museum hours, contact information, membership, school programs and more.

During the school year, don't miss our weekly posts on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter/X (click the link buttons below). Also, browse our Throughline Virtual Gallery; this past student project will help you "get your art on" via various creative prompts.

You can also Sign Up for our Mailing List to receive email updates with news and information on museum events and programming, online resources and activities, and other engagement opportunities inside and outside of the museum walls.

Events

View all ongoing museum Events and News, or individual Science Café and Science Saturday schedules.

Dates at a Glance

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August 21 - Great Southeast Pollinator Census in the Volusia Sandhill Ecosystem, adjacent to the museum; 3 p.m.; Stetson students only (but others can join the count from your own backyard! See Great Southeast Pollinator Census for more info.) - Cultural Credit available.
September 10 - Colossal Crystals - Exhibit Opening & Gallery Talk with curator Nicholas Pearson; 4 p.m. Join us as we explore the Gillespie's largest mineral specimens in this new exhibit; on display in the museum. More info - Reservations encouraged! Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
September 17 - Science Cafe - Florida Scrub Jay Ecology with Christie Miller, Lyonia Environmental Center; 6 p.m. in the RELC, 5:30 for snacks/social; More info - Reservations encouraged! Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
September 19 - Science Saturday - Wild Wonders: Exploring Biodiversity! 10 a.m.-noon; Learn about amazing animals, plants, and ecosystems with hands-on activities to kick off the new school year! More info - Reservations encouraged!
October 2 - Spooky Stones - Exhibit Opening & Gallery Talk with curator Nicholas Pearson; 3 p.m. A seasonal exhibit showcasing Even More of the museum's strangest and most mysterious specimens! On display in the museum. Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates. More info - Reservations encouraged!
October 15 - Science Cafe - Citrus Disease Dynamics and Innovative Defenses with Dr. Brendan Mormile, Soilcea; 6 p.m. in the RELC, 5:30 for snacks/social; More info - Reservations encouraged! Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
October 16-30 - Halloween at the Museum! During Mostly Green Halloween Science Saturday & regular daily hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Come venture into our Haunted Cave, Trick or Treat at the front desk, and see our special Spooky Stones mini exhibit - If you dare! For "kids" of ALL ages. Costumes encouraged! More info.
October 24 - Science Saturday - Mostly Green Halloween - Our annual family-friendly fall fair! 10 a.m.-noon; Outdoor activities, crafts, & explorations. Costumes encouraged! More info - Reservations encouraged!
November 7 - Native Plant Sale, 9 a.m.-noon; hosted by the Cuplet Fern Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. More info.
November 14 - Science Saturday - Rock Fest! 10 a.m. - noon; It's the Gillespie Museum’s 68th birthday! Join us for some fun rock and mineral geologizing! More info - Reservations encouraged!
November 19 - Science Cafe - Conservation of the Florida Wildlife Corridor with Brandon Evans, Conservation Florida; 6 p.m. in the RELC, 5:30 for snacks/social; More info - Reservations encouraged! Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
November 24 - Thanksgiving Drop-in Event, all day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Everyone is welcome to stop by the museum anytime during our regular hours today for a fun, festive, fall-themed take-home craft and scavenger hunt! More info.
December 1-4 - Holiday Sale at the Museum Shop! During regular daily hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Stop in to buy a mineral ornament or some sparkly stocking stuffers! More info. Store discounts for Gillespie Museum members - join today!

Want more details on museum happenings? Join our Mailing List to stay informed! or Become a Member of the museum for special events & other benefits!

January 16-17 - Tomoka Gem & Mineral Society Show - Stop by the Gillespie Museum's exhibit at this exciting annual rock and mineral show and sale at the Volusia County Fairgrounds.
January 26 - Nature Adventures in Central Florida by Florida Master Naturalist and author Roger Fulton; 6 p.m. in the RELC. This program is for Master Naturalists, Gillespie Museum members, and Stetson students only, please. Cultural Credit available for Stetson undergraduates. Read more about the event.
January 29 - Mini Minerals - Exhibit Opening & Gallery Talk with curator Nicholas Pearson; 4 p.m. Join us as we explore the Gillespie's tiniest mineral specimens in this new exhibit; on display in the museum. More info - Reservations encouraged! Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
February 9-12 - We LOVE Rocks & Minerals - Valentine's Week at the Gillespie! Visit the museum to make a Rockin' Card, & find something for your Valentine in our newly stocked gift shop. Read more about the event.
February 13 - Science Saturday - We LOVE Marine Biology! 10 a.m.- noon; Join us for some fun, hands-on activities exploring Florida's oceans and marine creatures! More info - Reservations encouraged!
February 16 - Wildlife Babies by Florida Master Naturalist and author Roger Fulton; 6 p.m. in the RELC. This program is for Master Naturalists, Gillespie Museum members, and Stetson students only, please. Cultural Credit available for Stetson undergraduates. Read more about the event.
February 18 - Science Cafe - Florida Firefly Ecology with Ellie Shultz, Naturalist & Educator, FDEP and Florida Conservation Corps; 6 p.m. in the RELC, 5:30 for snacks/social; More info - Reservations encouraged! Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
March 17 - Spring Drop-in Craft & Activity - Fun for all ages! Stop in anytime from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. to celebrate spring break at the Gillespie Museum with a drop-in craft and scavenger hunt! Read more about the event.
March 18 - Science Cafe - Food, Place, and Us: The Everyday Stories Behind What We Eat with Dr. Weixuan Lyu, Stetson professor of Environmental Science and Studies; 6 p.m. in the RELC, 5:30 for snacks/social; More info - Reservations encouraged! Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
March 20 - Science Saturday - STEAM Festival! 10 a.m.- noon; Join us in celebrating everything Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics! More info - Reservations encouraged!
March 23 - Hiking, Birding, and Biking in Central Florida by Florida Master Naturalist and author Roger Fulton; 6 p.m. in the RELC. This program is for Master Naturalists, Gillespie Museum members, and Stetson students only, please. Cultural Credit available for Stetson undergraduates. Read more about the event.
March 27 - Gillespie Museum at the Florida Wildflower & Garden Festival - Come by and see the Gillespie Museum's booth at this annual downtown DeLand festival; find more information on the Mainstreet DeLand website.
April 8 - Science Cafe & Exhibit Opening - Minerals of the Spruce Pine District with Gary Maddox, Owner of Apalachee Minerals, and retired FL Geolog. Survey geologist; 5:30 p.m. in the museum. More info - Reservations encouraged! Cultural Credit available for Stetson undergraduates.
April 13 - Museum CLOSED for Stetson Showcase
April 17 - Science Saturday - Earth Day at the Gillespie! 10 a.m.- noon; Our annual celebration of the planet & its wonders! More info - Reservations encouraged!
April 17-18 - Central Florida Mineral & Gem Society Show - Stop by the Gillespie Museum's exhibit at this exciting annual rock and mineral show and sale at the Florida National Guard Armory in Orlando.
April 28 - How Do iUse iNaturalist? - Get some nature therapy & learn this ID app before the City Nature Challenge citizen science project (April 30-May 3); 3 p.m. in the RELC. Cultural Credit available for Stetson undergraduates. Read more about the event.
May - International Museum Month - Join the Gillespie Museum and other DeLand museums celebrating International Museum Month with museum bingo! Visit as many museums as you can to fill up your bingo card and win a prize. Read more about the event.

Want more details on museum happenings? Join our Mailing List to stay informed! or Become a Member of the museum for special events & other benefits!

Stay tuned for updates about Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 exhibits, events, and programs... Join our mailing list to keep informed!

Exhibits

View all current Museum Exhibits, as well as an archive of selected past installations.

(For a complete listing of the museum's online educational resources, including selected exhibit materials, see our Educational Resources Page, or download this comprehensive Overview of Gillespie Museum Online Resources.)

New in October! - Spooky Stones - Come check out our LATEST version of this spooktacular seasonal exhibit that runs through December 2026 and showcases Even More of the museum's strangest and most mysterious specimens, including some ghoulish guest specimens! And don't miss the Opening and Gallery Talk on October 2 at 3 p.m. with curator Nicholas Pearson. More info - Reservations encouraged! Cultural Credit available for Stetson undergraduates.

New Fall 2026! - Colossal Crystals - Explore the Gillespie Museum's largest crystal specimens of a variety of mineral types in this new exhibit! And don't miss the Opening and Gallery Talk on September 10 at 4 p.m. with curator Nicholas Pearson. More info (reservations encouraged!) Cultural Credit available for Stetson undergraduates.

Tri-State Mining District exhibit logo

Now Open! - Minerals of the Tri-State Mining District - Come see this newer exhibit about the geologically and historically significant region of Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas called the Tri-State Mining District, featuring minerals and historic items on loan from the private collections of Gillespie friends and consultants Gary Maddox of Apalachee Minerals and Sam Upchurch, former Professor & Chairman of Geology, University of South Florida. Cultural Credit available for Stetson undergraduates.

Now Open! - The Nature Nook - This new permanent exhibit and gallery space features the nature photography of Ray Johnson, along with an ongoing touch table, artifacts, and nature activities. Come check it out in the Rinker Environmental Learning Center (RELC) adjacent to the museum! (Open during regular museum hours except when classes, field trips, and special events are in session.) See museum front desk for info.

Meteorites/Rocks from Space - Come explore space rocks at the Gillespie! Learn how rock fragments from outer space reveal clues about our planet and the solar system in this small display of iron meteorites and silica-based tektites from the Historic Gillespie Collection. Continuing in the museum.

Florida Formations - 500 million years of Florida geology - This permanent exhibit is a tale of the state's past environments and climates as told through its distinctive rock units and associated fossils. Cultural Credit available for Stetson undergraduates.

Outdoors and Grounds

See what's happening Outdoors at the Gillespie Museum.

The Grounds of the Gillespie Museum and the adjacent Rinker Environmental Learning Center (RELC) provide natural space for outdoor education and place-based research, constituting an integral part of the continuing environmental programming and initiatives of the museum and of the larger Stetson community.

The acreage surrounding the Gillespie features the Volusia Sandhill Ecosystem restoration project, as well as our Native Florida Plant Landscape. It also provides greenhouse and garden space for Stetson's Hatter Harvest, a sweet home for Stetson Beekeeping, and seasonal replenishment for our Seed Library.

Join us for upcoming Volusia Sandhill events!

Museum Hours

Tuesday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The museum is occasionally open weekday evenings for special events and programs.
Saturday: Open once a month for Science Saturday from 10 am to noon.

The museum will be CLOSED during the following 2026-27 academic holidays: Fall Break (October 8-9); Veterans Day (November 11); Stetson University Values Day (November 12); Thanksgiving Holiday (November 25-27); Winter Break (December 8-January 11); Spring Holidays (March 8-12); Good Friday (March 26); and Stetson Showcase (April 13).

Staff may be reached by email ([email protected]) or phone 386-822-7330. Stay tuned to our website and subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on all Gillespie Museum and Volusia Sandhill happenings!

Admissions and Membership

Walk-in Visitors

No admissions fee. Donations support educational programming.
The Gillespie is proud to be a Museums for All participant.

(We are pleased to offer discounted museum memberships to SNAP EBT cardholders.)

Educational Programs (Classes K-12, scouts, homeschool groups, etc.)

Students: $2.50
Teachers/Chaperones: No charge

Membership

Benefits include special members-only programs, gift shop discounts, subscriptions to our weekly e-newsletter, and participation in the ASTC Passport Program.
Plus, your membership directly supports our educational programs and exhibits! Apply for your Gillespie Museum membership today!

Identification and Donation of Specimens

Unfortunately, we are not able to assist with specimen identification or to receive acquisitions of collections or new specimens at this time. Thank you for your understanding.