View the latest What’s Good guide for fun things to do in Gainesville and Alachua County.
Scroll down to view a calendar of things to do in Gainesville and Alachua County. Help plan your visit with these submissions from local organizers. You can search by date or keyword, and change your layout from month or list view, by day or browse by images.
- This event has passed.
The History of the Thelma Boltin Recreation Center
July 29 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
FreeEvent Navigation
The Matheson is honored to host The Friends of the Thelma Boltin Recreation Center committee on Saturday, July 29, to make a presentation about the significance of the building originally built as the Serviceman’s Center in 1943.
The eighty-year-old building is a contributing building in a National Register Historic District and a State Heritage Site. It is significant for likely being the only building in the State of Florida that was built for World War II soldiers to relax and socialize and do activities before being shipped off to fight.
Thelma Boltin was hired as the Program Director in 1943. After the War ended, she became the Recreation Director for the City. She was also a founder of the White Springs Folk Festival and what is now the Gainesville Community Playhouse, as well as an English and Drama teacher at Gainesville High School. Her program “Teen Time” was popular with local teens. She booked local bands which included Stephen Stills, Bernie Leadon, and Don Felder that played on the present stage. Tom Petty attended and may have played at the dances held there too.
Do not miss this opportunity to see photos taken during the periods of significance. Feel free to bring your own photos and souvenirs to the presentation!
Free Registration – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-history-of-the-thelma-boltin-recreation-center-tickets-679438136757
Zoom Registration – https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NHQ2l_28TBqAE4nc00tn8w
This publication contains information about events, venues and activities in Alachua County, Florida. Reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the information is accurate. We are not responsible for errors or omissions in the information provided. For complete details, contact the host directly. The information is not advice, and should not be treated as such. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing paragraph, we do not represent, warrant, undertake or guarantee that the information is correct, accurate, complete or non-misleading. We will not be liable to you in respect of any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage. If a section of this disclaimer is determined by any court or other competent authority to be unlawful and/or unenforceable, the other sections of this disclaimer continue in effect.
