The Thomas Center, formerly known as Hotel Thomas and Sunkist Villa, is an historic building in Gainesville, Florida, United States. It was built starting in 1910 in the Classical Revival style by noted Atlanta-based architect, William Augustus Edwards, designer of academic buildings at 12 institutions in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida, including the original University of Florida campus, as well as a dozen or more county courthouses in those states plus other building and houses,[2][3]
Hotel Thomas | |
 Western entrance to the Thomas Center | |
   | |
| Location | 302 NE 6th Ave., Gainesville, Florida |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 29°39′26″N 82°19′19″W / 29.6573°N 82.3220°W |
| Built | 1910 |
| Architect | William Augustus Edwards |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000563[1] |
| Added to NRHP | July 16, 1973 |
The building began as the private home of William Reuben Thomas, his wife Kathryn, and their five children, when it was known as Sunkist Villa.[4] In 1928 Thomas more than doubled the size of the home and converted it to a hotel.[4] On July 16, 1973, the building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The Thomas Center celebrated its 100th anniversary on February 12, 2010.[5]
Thomas Center
editToday the Thomas Center serves as a local art and cultural center, and is the home for the Gainesville Cultural Affairs Division. The Thomas Center Galleries feature changing exhibits of art. The center also features 1920s period rooms, local history exhibits, a performance space, banquet rooms, and meeting rooms.
References
edit- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ "University of Florida biography of William Augustus Edwards". Archived from the original on 2008-06-28. Retrieved 2008-04-09.
- ^ Multiple Resource Area for 4 of the 9 South Carolina courthouses designed by William Augustus Edwards - 12 pages
- ^ a b "Thomas Center History and Tours". Gainesville, Florida. Retrieved 2010-06-11.
- ^ Pantazi, Andrew (14 February 2010). "Thomas Center celebrates 100th birthday". The Independent Florida Alligator. Gainesville. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
External links
edit- Official website
- Gainesville Division of Cultural Affairs - Thomas Center - official site
- Alachua County listings at Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs
- Virtual tour of Northeast Historic District, Gainesville
- The Historic Thomas Center in Gainesville, FL
- The Thomas Center at Historic Homes of Greater Gainesville
- A Gainesville, Florida Gem