Florida Museum exhibit explores state's surfing history

May 8, 2013

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Museum of Natural History visitors will soon have the opportunity to discover the state’s famous coastal waters and deep surfing culture in the new exhibit “Surfing Florida,” opening Aug. 31.

Developed by Florida Atlantic University, the exhibit documents the state’s surfing history through vintage photographs and interpretive graphics as well as videos and oral histories from well-known Florida surfers. The Florida Museum will broaden the exhibit’s scope with surf memorabilia and specimens to explore animals in the surf and on the beach.

“The exhibit is packed with Florida surfing history and memorabilia, but we wanted to add objects from our collections and interesting natural history stories,” said Darcie MacMahon, Florida Museum assistant director for exhibits. “There are actually quite a few animals that surf, even a snail! We also wanted to explore some of the animals that use the beach, since many are familiar to beachcombers.”

The exhibit’s science content will include the museum’s famed “International Shark Attack File” and shark research programs, fish and marine invertebrate collections as well as other areas of study.

The museum will display the exhibit through Jan. 20, 2014.

“Surfing Florida: A Photographic History” was organized by the University Galleries, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, with support from the Florida Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Florida Museum of Natural History inspires people to value the biological richness and cultural heritage of our diverse world and make a positive difference in its future. The museum is located at 3215 Hull Road just east of Southwest 34th Street in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza in Gainesville. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The museum’s current temporary exhibit, “Titanoboa: Monster Snake,” details Florida Museum scientists’ recent discovery in Colombia of the world’s largest snake – 48 feet long and 2,500 pounds – and features a full-size model of the massive reptile.

For more information, including directions, parking and ticket prices, visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu or call 352-846-2000.