3 Best Landmarks in Gainesville, FL

“Historic Haile Homestead is a 6,200 square foot home that was built by 56 enslaved laborers. The Historic Haile Homestead is a non-profit organization that operates the site and the Allen & Ethel Graham Visitors Center. In 1854, Thomas Evans and Serena Chesnut Haile moved their family from Camden, South Carolina, to Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida. The building features over 12,500 words inscribed in almost every room and closet. The Historic Haile Homestead is unique in the nation for its "Talking Walls." In 1856, the enslaved people who lived and labored there and the Haile family were integral to the Homestead. Visitors can learn about the enslaved laborers and freedmen, whose stories are intertwined into the fabric of its tours.”

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“The Matheson History Museum aims to preserve and interpret the history of Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida, and the surrounding regions. The Alachua County Historical Society worked to preserve and interpret the area's history by erecting historical markers and hosting regular programs and field trips to historic sites. The museum interprets and preserves the history of Alachua County and its environs through historic preservation, including restoring the former Gainesville Gospel Tabernacle and Melting Pot building, which is now the Matheson Library & Archives. The Matheson History Museum offers innovative exhibitions and programs on various topics in local and Florida history and promotes new scholarship.”

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“The Harn Museum of Art aims to inspire, educate, and improve people’s lives through art. The museum develops high-quality and relevant exhibitions drawn from its collection of 13,300 artworks, many of which have toured across the United States. The Harn Museum of Art is southwest of campus in the UF Cultural Plaza area. The Harn is a 108,800-square-foot facility that features 10 gallery spaces and is located on the University of Florida campus. The art on view includes special traveling exhibitions and encompasses collecting areas of African, Asian, modern, contemporary art, and photography. The museum is the most prominent fine art museum in north-central Florida. The Harn Museum of Art demonstrates its commitment to being a cultural resource through free admission and art-centered experiences. The museum offers free admission for all visitors. Parking is free for your convenience.”

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