Gainesville offers many opportunities for exploring its history and the history of surrounding areas. Review the following list for an overview of these fascinating and informative attractions and activities. Matheson Historical Center 513 E. University Ave., Gainesville Information: (352) 378-2280 This newly-opened museum and botanical gardens showcases the history of Gainesville, Alachua County and North Florida. Harn Museum of Art S.W. 34th Street and Hull Road, Gainesville Information: (352) 392-9826 The spacious galleries of the dramatic Harn Museum of Art house collections from the varied cultures of the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe, as well as contemporary works. The 62,000-square-foot museum includes a gift shop with a unique selection of quality gifts. Olustee Battlefield State Historic Site Off U.S. 90, 15 miles north of Lake Butler Information: (352) 758-0400 Famous for its annual re-enactment of the Civil War battle fought there, Olustee Battlefield also has a small museum and a one-mile walking trail which educates visitors about Florida's biggest Civil War battle. The park is located one mile from Ocean Pond swimming and boating area. The re-enactment is held each February. The Historic Thomas Center 302 Northeast Sixth Avenue, Gainesville Information: (352) 334-5064 Considered Gainesville's cultural center, the Thomas Center is housed in a beautifully restored Mediterranean Revival-style hotel. The Thomas Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and contains art galleries, 1920's period rooms, local history exhibits, performance space and meeting rooms. The Thomas Center is surrounded by the lovely Thomas Center Gardens and the Grace and Sidney Knight Children's Theatre. The center is the site of a variety of art exhibits and musical programs. The Spanish Court is the central room which rises two stories to a full skylight. It is surrounded by a colonnade and second story Mezzanine area. The Long Gallery adjoins the Spanish Court with five sets of double doors on the south wall, this long room is fully paneled in walnut, has two fireplaces and carpeting. The Thomas Center has three meeting rooms available. The Sam Gowan History Room, room 102, off the northeast corner of the Spanish Court contains a conference table that seats twelve people. The Lucille Maloney Room, room 105, contains a conference table that seats sixteen people. Camp Blanding Museum & Memorial Park S.R. 16 (10 miles east of Starke) Information: (904) 682-3196 The park at Camp Blanding contains World War II vintage aircraft, artillery and vehicles as well as monuments to Medal of Honor recipients. The museum displays memorabilia of the early history of Camp Blanding and its role in World War II. Florida Museum of Natural History SW 34th Street and Hull Road on UF Campus, Gainesville Information: (352) 846-2000 A full-sized replica of a North Florida limestone cave and a 14-foot tall mammoth skeleton are only part of the allure of the largest collections-based natural history museum in the Southeast. With more than 25 million specimens, the museum has one of the nation's top 10 natural history collections. Visitors can experience hundreds of live butterflies year-round in the Butterfly Rainforest, the museum's newest permanent exhibit. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic Site Highway 325, Cross Creek Information: (352) 466-3672 Author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings found inspiration on this small cracker farm in rural Cross Creek. Her difficult life there became the background for many of her novels, including the Pulitzer prize-winning novel The Yearling.