Florida Museum of Natural History exhibit with iconic cave replica to close for renovations

Alan Festo, The Gainesville Sun
·2 min read

The Florida Museum of Natural History announced that one of its more popular permanent exhibits will be closed for renovations for about a year.

Beginning Feb. 27, the "Northwest Florida: Waterways & Wildlife" exhibit, which includes the iconic limestone cave replica, will close for about a year to make way for a new reimagined and interactive "Water Shapes Florida" exhibit.

“We recognize this as a huge opportunity for us as the state museum of natural history to tell the story of water, arguably Florida’s most important resource, and in a compelling way that both informs and inspires conservation and stewardship,” said Darcie MacMahon, the Florida Museum’s director of exhibits and public programs, in a news release.

MacMahon noted that the current cave feature's focus on Florida’s unique geology and the spongelike limestone aquifer that supplies the state's freshwater inspired the new renovation.

The Florida Museum’s iconic limestone cave will remain as part of a new "Water Shapes Florida" exhibit and will be refreshed with new technology, graphics and content.
The Florida Museum’s iconic limestone cave will remain as part of a new "Water Shapes Florida" exhibit and will be refreshed with new technology, graphics and content.

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The cave will remain a highlight of the new exhibit.

“The popular existing hammock and cave environments will be brought to life with new lights, sound and media. I think visitors will enjoy seeing their favorite parts of the exhibit in a whole new way,” said Florida Museum exhibit coordinator Julie Waters in a news release.

The free exhibit at the museum, located at 3215 Hull Road, also will include a simulated glass-bottom boat experience that will allow visitors to learn about the challenges facing Florida's springs and the importance of maintaining water quality.

Other features include multimedia displays, interpretive graphics and museum specimens.

The "Northwest Florida" exhibit was the first to open in Powell Hall, the museum's current location, in 2000. The new exhibit will be funded in part by a $100,000 donation from Duke Energy Foundation and a $500,000 grant from the Florida Department of State.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida Museum's Water Shapes Florida exhibit to open in spring 2024