Florida Museum of Natural History

The Florida Museum of Natural History is the state natural history museum located on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville. It houses research collections and public exhibits covering paleontology, biodiversity, anthropology and regional natural history.

A live Butterfly Rainforest exhibit and large collections used for scientific research, as well as permanent and rotating exhibitions on Florida’s natural and cultural past. The museum balances public-facing displays with its role as a research and collections center for the region.

The museum developed from university-based natural-history collections and has expanded its public galleries and research facilities over the 20th and 21st centuries to serve both visitors and the scientific community. It continues to add exhibitions and outreach programs linked to ongoing research.

Located on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, the museum is easily accessible from the city and serves as a regional center for visitors and researchers interested in Florida’s biology and geology.

• University affiliation: Operated by the University of Florida, the museum serves as Florida's state natural history museum and combines research collections with public exhibits.

What to See #

• Butterfly Rainforest (McGuire Center): A climate-controlled live exhibit that houses free-flying butterflies and tropical plants, operated by the museum's McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity.
• Exhibition and fossil halls: Exhibition halls that present regional paleontology, archaeology and natural-history displays focusing on Florida's natural and cultural past.