Joshua C. Dickinson Hall

Honoree

Joshua C. "J.C." Dickinson, Jr.

Joshua C. "J.C." Dickinson, Jr. earned three degrees from the University of Florida: a bachelor's degree in 1940, a master's degree in 1946 and his doctorate in 1950. Joshua was appointed Director of the Florida Museum of Natural History in 1961. Under his leadership, research and education experienced explosive growth, particularly in curatorial staff and in the vertebrate systematics collections. The Seagle Building became increasingly cramped and once again there was a need for more space for research collections and exhibits. Dickinson spearheaded a successful drive for a new museum building. In 1979, he retired and was named Director Emeritus.

Facility History

Joshua C. Dickinson Hall was named for a former director of the Florida Museum of Natural History. In 1968, with a $2.2 million dollar grant from the National Science Foundation, and with matching funds from private donors and from state and local governments, construction began on a new museum building on the University of Florida campus. By the fall of 1970, construction on the new building, Dickinson Hall, was complete and the research collections were moved into the new building. The public exhibits and education programs occupied the top floor of Dickinson Hall, which was formally dedicated in September 1971. Dickinson Hall, located on the corner of Newell Drive and Museum Road, now exclusively houses the collections and research activities.

Click here to visit Dickinson Hall virtually through UF's campus map