Virtual Tour | Tours for Third Grade Classes | Friends and Family Tours | Group Tours for Adults | Self-Guided Tours
Virtual Tour of the Period Rooms
Two 1920’s Period Rooms were begun by the Junior League as early as 1975, with stewardship being transferred to the Thomas Center Associates in 1983 to complete and expand. The Parlour/Lounge, Major Thomas’ Bedroom, and his office are the only actual museum rooms designated solely for viewing, while the Reception Room/Lobby, the Lucille T. Maloney Conference Room and the Sam Gowan History Room are designed to function also as much-used public spaces. All reflect Hotel Thomas decor as this was the period to which the buildings were returned in the renovation.
Take a virtual tour of of the Thomas Center by clicking on the rooms below.
First Floor
[drawattention ID=”448″]
Second Floor
[drawattention ID=”454″]
Ways to Tour the Thomas Center Museum Rooms
Tours for Fourth Grade Classes
Throughout the school year, fourth grade classes come for a docent-led tour of the Thomas Center as guests of the Thomas Center Associates. This entertaining tour teaches the children about the Thomas family, Hotel Thomas and their role in Gainesville history. If you are a teacher of a fourth grade class in any school in Alachua County, you may contact us to schedule a tour for your class. Email us at thomascenterassociates@gmail.com to schedule a day and time for your class visit.
Friends and Family Tours
Twice each year, the Thomas Center Associates provide a special opportunity for the public to tour the Thomas Center museum rooms at no charge. Led by a docent costumed in 1928 clothes, these entertaining tours inform about the Thomas family who lived in the home, the Hotel Thomas, and the role it played in Gainesville history. Our next Friends and Family tour has been postponed due to the pandemic and the closing of the Thomas Center. Meet in the Spanish Court of the Thomas Center on the tour date.
Group Tours for Adults
Thomas Center docents are available to lead tours of the Thomas Center for groups who would like to learn about the Thomas family, Hotel Thomas, and their role in Gainesville history. If you are a member of a group that would like a docent-led tour, please email us at thomascenterassociates@gmail.com to arrange a date and time for your tour.
Self-guided Tours
Enter Building A from the parking lot facing 6th Avenue. This building was the Thomas home, Sunkist Villa, and today contains the period rooms, public gathering spaces, as well as offices for the city of Gainesville’s Cultural Affairs department. You will find brochures produced by the Associates on a table in the hallway as well as a sign inviting you to dial the number for the Cell Phone Tour. You will hear a description as you move from room to room.