Events and News
The Gillespie has events year-round. Monthly Science Cafés feature presentations on a range of science and environmental topics, and monthly Science Saturdays offer hands-on educational fun for scientists of all ages.
Stay tuned right here and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest info on upcoming Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 museum events!
Fall 2025
August 22 - Great Southeast Pollinator Census
Join the count in the Volusia Sandhill restoration area, 2 p.m. on the museum grounds! In cooperation with the University of Georgia Extension, this citizen science opportunity sponsored by the Gillespie Museum will help protect the southeast's pollinators one count at a time! On campus event is for Stetson students only, but we encourage everyone else to join the count in their own backyards! See https://gsepc.org/ for more info. Cultural credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
September 18 - Science Cafe
Rescuing the River of Grass with Eve Samples, Executive Director, Friends of the Everglades; 6 p.m. in the RELC adjacent to the museum, 5:30 for snacks/social. More info (reservations encouraged!) Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
September 20 - Science Saturday
Journey to Space! 10 a.m. - noon; Join us for demonstrations and hands-on astronomy activities to kick off the new school year! More info (reservations encouraged!) Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Science Saturdays feature special museum exhibits and family-friendly activities.
September 24 - Exhibit Opening & Gallery Talk
Treasures Out of the Attic! Come see our newest exhibit featuring lost treasures and fascinating oddities that our curation team recently uncovered from the depths of Gillespie Collection storage! 4 p.m. Viewing and Gallery Talk by curator Nicholas Pearson; in the museum. More info (reservations encouraged!)
October 16 - Science Cafe
Fantastic Fungi! with Scott Ostuni, DNA Sequence Validator, Fungal Diversity Survey; 6 p.m. in the RELC adjacent to the museum, 5:30 for snacks/social. More info (reservations encouraged!) Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
October 18 - 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!) Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Science Saturdays feature special museum exhibits and family-friendly activities.
October 18-31 - Halloween at the Gillespie!
During Mostly Green Halloween Science Saturday (see above) & regular daily hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Trick or Treat, Haunted Cave, and Spooky Stones – Come venture into our haunted limestone replica 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. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
November 1 - Florida Native Plant Sale
Florida Native Plant Sale; 9:30 a.m.-noon at the Rinker Environmental Learning Center (RELC), adjacent to the museum; hosted by the Cuplet Fern Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. More info.
November 6 - Science Cafe
Climate Change and Green Infrastructure Adaptation with Dr. Jason Evans, Executive Director, Stetson's Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience - IWER; 6 p.m. in the RELC adjacent to the museum, 5:30 for snacks/social. More info (reservations encouraged!) Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
November 15 - Science Saturday
Founder's Day Celebration! 10 a.m.-noon; It's the Gillespie Museum’s 67th birthday! Join us for some fun rock and mineral geologizing! More info (reservations encouraged!) Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Science Saturdays feature special museum exhibits and family-friendly activities.
November 25 - Thanksgiving Drop-in Event
Awesome Autumnal Activity! All day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Everyone is welcome to stop by the museum today during regular hours for a fun, festive, fall-themed take-home craft activity and scavenger hunt! More info.
December 2-5 - Holiday Sale at the Museum Shop
During regular daily hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Holiday sale at the Gillespie Museum Gift Shop – Stop in to buy a mineral ornament or some sparkly stocking stuffers! Come check out our cool selection of jewelry, books, crystals, and other specimens, science activities, and much more to really Rock Your Stockings this holiday season! More info. Store discounts for museum members - join today!
Spring 2025
Open through May 2025
Uncertain Sanctuary: Florida Springs Sculptures by Judith Greavu; Come check out this stunning and important visiting exhibit, and learn more about the state of our springs in an associated display featuring materials from the Florida Springs Council and the Florida Springs Institute. All exhibit sculptures available for sale, with half the proceeds going to support the work of the Florida Springs Council!
Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
February 8 - Science Saturday
We LOVE Native Species with the Central Florida Zoo! 10 a.m.-noon; Join us for some awesome live animal action in the RELC! Co-sponsored with the Stetson Pre-vet Club. More info & to RSVP - Reservations are required as space is limited. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Science Saturdays feature special museum exhibits and family-friendly activities.
February 11 through 14 - Valentine's Week at the Gillespie
We LOVE Rocks & Minerals! Visit the museum this week during regular hours to make a Rockin' Card, and to find something shiny for your Valentine in our newly stocked gift shop! Read more about Valentine's Week.
February 20 - Science Cafe
Eelgrass Restoration on the St. Johns River with Dan Kolterman, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission; 6 p.m. in the RELC adjacent to the museum, 5:30 for snacks/social.
Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
March 13 - Science Cafe & Sunset in the Sandhill
Sunset in the Sandhill Celebration! All are invited to join us from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. to celebrate 14 years of the Volusia Sandhill Ecosystem restoration, with food, fun, & live music! Brief presentation at 6 p.m. by Stetson Biology professor Dr. Cynthia Bennington. More info & to RSVP - Reservations Required.
Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
March 21 - Celebrate Spring! Drop-in Craft & Activity
It's Springtime at the Gillespie! All day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., everyone is welcome to stop by the museum today during regular hours to make a spring-themed take-home craft, and to enjoy an outdoor activity. No registration is required! Fun for all ages! Read more about Spring Celebration.
March 22 - Science Saturday
3rd Annual Gillespie STEAM Festival! 10 a.m.-noon; Join us in celebrating everything Science Technology Engineering Arts & Mathematics! Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Science Saturdays feature special museum exhibits and family-friendly activities.
March 28 - Environmental Art Gallery Opening
Student Environmental Art Competition submissions on display (through April 25) in the Nature Nook. Gallery Opening is 3 - 5 p.m., with a reception at 3 p.m. and a brief presentation by the artists at 4 p.m. Sponsored by the Stetson Environmental Fellows.
Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
March 28 - April 25
The Living Palette: Art for the Earth and Mind in the RELC Nature Nook gallery. This new student-submitted and curated environmental art exhibit aims to highlight the relationship between nature and art while acknowledging current threats to our environment.
Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
April 10 - Science Cafe
Indian River Lagoon Clam Restoration Project with Dr. Todd Osborne, University of Florida, Whitney Lab; 6 p.m. in the RELC adjacent to the museum, 5:30 for snacks/social. More info and RSVP!
Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
April 22 - Minerals in Space Exhibit Opening
Minerals in Space: Building Blocks to the Stars is a new student-curated exhibit about the importance of minerals in space exploration and the aerospace industry. Join us for the Exhibit Opening & Gallery Talk on April 22 at 4 p.m. to meet student curator, Mary DeNote, Stetson History & Political Science major, class of 2027. Coffee & doughnuts will be served!
Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
April 22, 2025 - May 2026
Minerals in Space: Building Blocks to the Stars is our newest exhibit - opening April 22 in the museum's main gallery. Come check out this fascinating student-curated installation, by Stetson's Mary DeNote featuring historic Gillespie Collection specimens, about the uses of minerals in space exploration and aerospace science.
Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
April 24 - Mineral Music - CANCELLED! (Rescheduled to Spring 2026, so stay tuned!)
The debut of Stetson Digital Arts professor Chaz Underriner's experiential music piece inspired by the Gillespie Museum rock & mineral collection! Performance by Amorsima Trio.
Cultural Credit is available for Stetson undergraduates.
April 26 - Science Saturday
Earth Day at the Gillespie! 10 a.m.- noon; Our annual celebration of the planet & its wonders! More info & to RSVP. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Science Saturdays feature special museum exhibits and family-friendly activities.
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