GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Collectors can share their personal treasures with Florida Museum of Natural History visitors during the 37th Collectors Day Jan. 9, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This free event is the museum’s longest-running public program, allowing visitors to interact with collectors from across the region and learn about the context and historical significance of their collections.

Collectors Day was originally created to recognize collectors’ contributions and donations to the museum’s vast collections. The museum holds one of the nation’s largest collections with more than 40 million specimens, and was visited last year by more than 1,000 scientists and others from around the world last year researching various topics.

“Museum collections are the library of life,” said Florida Museum educator Tiffany Ireland. “They provide the foundation for ground-breaking research and award-winning exhibits.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to view objects that are more than a century old. Returning favorites include antique and primitive tools, classic cars, sports memorabilia, plastic models, dolls, Abrahamic books and more.

More than 1,700 visitors attended the 2015 event, many of whom return year after year to see the expansion of previous collections and newer items on display.

In addition to individual collectors, local organizations including The Vette Set Corvette Club, Matheson Museum, Pleasant Street Historic Society and Gainesville Sunshine Clowns are scheduled to participate.

For those interested in displaying collections, the registration deadline is Jan. 2, 2016. Collectors of all ages are welcome and there is no charge for participating.

For more information on registration, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/events/collectors-day-registration or call Tiffany Ireland, 352-273-2061.

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Writer: Maria Espinoza, PRintern@flmnh.ufl.edu
Source: Tiffany Ireland, tireland@flmnh.ufl.edu
Media contact: Paul Ramey, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-273-2054