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The University of Florida, located in Gainesville, Florida, is the state's oldest, largest, and most competitive university. It was founded in 1853 upon the consolidation of the East Florida Seminary and the Florida Agricultural College. Named for Seminole War hero Edmund Gaines, the town of Gainesville was established just a year afterwards in 1854. Both Gainesville and the University have grown and expanded since this time. In 1996, 39,000 students were registered for courses at the University of Florida. The present urban population is more than 85,000. Gainesville offers numerous opportunities to explore its history and the history of the surrounding area. The Matheson Historical Center showcases the cities history and serves as the Alachua County Museum and Archives. The Thomas Center, a restored Mediterranean Revival-style hotel, contains art galleries, 1920's period rooms, local history exhibits, performance space and meeting rooms. The center is also used as a setting for art exhibits and musical programs. There are several art galleries in Gainesville, aside from the Thomas Center. The Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art houses collections from the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Europe as well as contemporary works. Several other galleries and exhibition areas on campus, as well as at Santa Fe Community College are also available for local and regional works. A Spring Arts Festival, sponsored by Santa Fe Community College, is held annually in downtown Gainesville. Gainesville is also home to many diverse performing artists, including several dance companies, theatre troupes, and musical groups. These groups perform at a variety of venues including the new Center for Performing Arts. The Center also hosts Broadway touring companies, operas, symphonic bands, and internationally-known acts perform in Gainesville ranging from alternative rock, to country, disco, reggae, and jazz. Gainesville's downtown area is usually full of life until the early morning hours. In addition to the cultural events, there are also numerous outdoor activities accessible from the Gainesville area. With the coast only an hour and a half drive from Gainesville in either direction, a drive to the beach is a relaxing day trip. However, it is not necessary to leave even the county in order to enjoy fishing, swimming, sailing, and similar sports. Freshwater springs are located throughout the region. Some, such as Silver Springs in Ocala, have been developed into tourist attractions with underwater viewing galleries, glass bottom boats, and water shows of various kinds. Other springs have facilities for camping, swimming, canoeing, and cave diving. Without leaving Gainesville, one can visit several nature preserves and parks such as Bivens Arm Nature Park, Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site, and Morningside Nature Center. Paynes Prairie State Preserve and San Felasco Hammock State Preserve are both within the county, and it is only a short drive to the Ocala National Forest south of Gainesville. There are many fun and exciting activities in and around Gainesville. Gainesville maintains a small town atmosphere, but with the cultural advantages of a large city. In recognition of this, Gainesville was recently ranked the number one place to live in the United States by Money magazine. For more information, please visit Gainesville's Official website.
There are many organizations in the community prepared to
help meet students' needs. Among these are:
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