About the Author: Jessica Meinhofer runs Walk and Paddle, a blog dedicated to Florida springs, hiking, and paddling adventures. This article originally appeared on her site and has been shared here with her permission.
I don’t know about you, but I love a museum trip. I also love budget-friendly options. That’s why this free mineral museum in Central Florida has become one of our favorite places to visit. It’s right in Historic Downtown DeLand in West Volusia County, with boutique shops, locally owned restaurants, the 1920s Athens Theatre, and Stetson Mansion being not too far away. If you are familiar with the area, you might already have guessed that I’m talking about the Gillespie Museum.
My Connection with the Gillespie Museum.
Something I learned during the period of my life where my family was RVing across the country and during our homeschooling journey is that there are many small, free, and fantastic museums all over this country. They are often kid-friendly and still offer plenty of interesting information and events for adults.
One of the museums that we kept coming back to is the Gillespie Museum, located on the Stetson University DeLand campus in DeLand. It was founded in 1958 and houses a mineral collection with about a thousand specimens on display, with some gems rivaling those at the Smithsonian. Within, there are also galleries about natural history, Florida ecosystems, volcanoes, and more. Outside of the museum, there is a native Florida plant landscape, the Hatter Harvest Garden, Stetson Beekeeping, and a Volusia Sandhill Ecosystem.
While I am a Stetson alum, I don’t remember going to the museum while I was in college. Nor did I visit it while I was in the public school system (yep, I am very local, yet this was something hidden to even me)! My first memories of visiting the Gillespie Museum are with my husband and children. At the time, we were looking for budget-friendly ways to help the kids learn, especially when we made the decision to homeschool. What started out as something to do with our little kids quickly became something we did with other homeschooling families, and we still revisit our favorite parts of the museum with our teenagers. They also enjoy the rotating exhibits.
What It’s Like to Visit the Gillespie Museum?
The Gillespie Museum is a small, boutique museum that packs a punch. It has a figure eight layout that flows nicely, with the front desk serving as a hub where knowledgeable student workers can help point you in the right direction based on your interests and the ages of your party.
There are plenty of hands-on activities for younger visitors. For teens, college students, and adults, there are wall displays with specimens and signs, along with microscopes where you can get a close-up look at minerals and preserved nature specimens. There are even information books to help you learn more about the specimens or take you to a new level of understanding.
Visitors can explore at their own pace, but you can also make arrangements for guided tours. They last around 30 minutes, are $2.50 per person, and should be scheduled ahead of time by calling 386-822-7330. If you are visiting with a group larger than 10 people, the museum would appreciate a call ahead of time so they can be ready.
Once a month, typically the third Saturday of the month, the museum is open from 10 am to noon for Science Saturday. While the topic changes every month, there are always hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. I have been with my family and the kids really enjoyed it.
One Thursday each month, from 5:30 to 7 pm, the museum has what they call the Science Café, where they offer special presentations open to community members. Some previous programming includes “Rescuing the River of Grass,” “Fantastic Fungi,” and “Florida Natural History Highlights.” These evenings are more appropriate for older teens and adults.
During your visit to the museum, don’t forget to check out the museum shop. It is small, fairly priced, and easy to miss, but it has a variety of specimens, t-shirts, and gift items, making it a great little stop to check out.
The museum is on a single floor, so wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers can navigate the exhibits. There is also one ADA parking spot near the Rinker Environmental Learning Center (230 E Michigan Ave, DeLand, FL 32724, lot 36). The front porch is elevated with steps on one side but has a ramp on the other.
My Favorite Things to Explore in the Museum?
When the kids were small.
There is a dedicated nook in the museum where visitors can do a bit of digging and take three minerals home. This elevated area is filled with pebbles and hidden specimens, and it comes complete with miniature rakes and other tools for the search. Back when my kids were little, we loved to mine here. Even though the setup is simple, finding those tiny treasures was always a major highlight of the trip for my children.
After we did that, we would explore the cave area and look for rocks that fluoresce under black light. It is always a fun transition to go from the bright museum floor into the darkened cave to see the minerals glow.
With older kids, teens, and adults.
Now that the kids are older, they can appreciate some of the newer exhibits. The museum is always rotating out displays, but we still find ways to spend plenty of time in the birthstone and microscope area. It is fun to look at everyone’s birthstones, and sometimes we even look for those of friends or favorite musicians. Looking at specimens under the microscope never gets old. And, of course, we still stop to dig for minerals. It is just as fun now as it was when they were little.
Who Would Enjoy the Gillespie Museum?
I think the best thing about the Gillespie Museum is that it is a great place for visitors of all ages.
The museum is very family-friendly, with displays that kids can touch and experience in a way that is exciting to them. Parents can relax knowing their kids can enjoy the exhibits.
Adults can take their time to read up on the specimens and find books in the museum to expand their knowledge. It is a relaxing place that can be explored at whatever pace works for them.
Homeschool families can enjoy a close-to-home field trip that is open to kids coming in and spending time. There is even an area with a table and chairs inside the museum where homeschoolers can hold class in a different environment and use the books maintained by the museum.
Even those who are not necessarily interested in geology or minerals can enjoy the Gillespie Museum. It is a beautiful museum that is very well laid out and free. There are places to sit and observe inside the building, plus a front porch with benches.
Things to Know Before You Go
Admission Fees
The Gillespie Museum is free for visitors. Donations are accepted and support educational programming.
Educational programming is low-cost and dependent on the activity.
Museum Address
234 E. Michigan Ave., DeLand, FL 32723
Museum Hours
The museum is open Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, with occasional weekday evenings and Saturdays for special events.
Since the museum is part of Stetson University, it is open from August to May except during academic holidays such as Fall Break, Veterans Day, Stetson University Days, Thanksgiving Holiday, Winter Break, Spring Holidays, Good Friday, and Stetson Showcase. You can get exact dates via the Gillespie Museum website.
Accessibility
The museum is one story with flat wood floors, making it accessible for those using wheelchairs, strollers, or walkers.
ADA parking is available at 230 E Michigan Ave, DeLand, FL 32724 (lot 36).
Visitors with mobility needs and wheelchair, stroller, and walker users can be dropped off in front of the double gates of the museum, where they can use a ramp to the sidewalk and front porch.
Parking
The main parking lot is gravel and located at 235 E Michigan Ave, DeLand, FL 32724 (lot 35). Visitors may use all spots in this lot, including those designated “RESERVED ECHO Visitor Parking”.
One ADA and one EV parking spot are located in a paved lot right next to the Rinker Environmental Learning Center at 230 E Michigan Ave, DeLand, FL 32724 (lot 36).
How Long Does it Take to Visit?
It’ll depend on the group visiting, but my family can take up to two hours if we really take our time, especially if we stop to look at multiple specimens under the microscopes, study the books, or take photos and videos to share with friends.
Ready to Visit the Gillespie Museum?
I hope this article helps you understand the Gillespie Museum a bit more and maybe even inspires you to visit. It really is a welcoming place that offers enough to support repeat visits.
Being on the Stetson campus, in the heart of Historic Downtown DeLand, and in West Volusia only adds to the appeal of the Gillespie. Visit the museum, explore the university campus, and then stroll the downtown area to grab a bite to eat.
Visit During Museum Month!
The Gillespie Museum is also a proud participant in Museum Month, a collaborative program running through June 5, 2026, that encourages residents and visitors to explore fourteen different cultural and historical institutions across West Volusia. You can join in the fun by picking up a Museum Month Bingo Passport and collecting stamps or signatures as you visit various sites, attend local events, or engage with the museums on social media. Completing a bingo line on your passport earns you rewards like custom sticker sheets and entries into a drawing for gift baskets. It is a wonderful way to discover other local treasures alongside the Gillespie, such as DeBary Hall, the Museum of Art – DeLand, or the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum.
More information on West Volusia County can be picked up at 116 W. New York Avenue in Downtown DeLand, FL, or can be found online. Please call 386-734-0162 for more information.