Didn't realize there was a Black History Museum in Thomasville! A planned trip to some museums in Montgomery was canceled and I was looking for something closer to home - and voila! I called to verify the hours of operation and Ms. Wills was so very pleasant. In calling back to inform them that a group would be coming, we were informed that there is a scavenger hunt available for the kids - which they loved! Before we started the self-guided tour, there was a video to explain how Mr. Hadley's passion came to life via the museum. Then we were told of the various sections, with some history given on a few of the exhibits. There are loads of paraphernalia packed in the space; so many sentimental items. Good news - the museum is moving to a larger space soon, which is great because everything will be more spread out to view. This tour would be wonderful for student/school related field trips (small groups). Kudos to Mr. Hadley and his staff for sharing this history and keeping us reminded. If we don't know the history, however "ugly" it may be, we will certainly repeat it - horrors and all. Of note, only $5 entrance fee for adults, $3 for kids (discount applied if there is a group). read more

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I want to be clear from the very beginning. Visually this is not a 5-star museum, but it IS a 5-star effort by a man with a passion spanning more than two decades. Jack Hadley Black History Memorabilia, Inc. (a non-profit organization) was founded in 1994. It was birthed from his son's desire to continue the yearly tradition of Black History Week after local teachers dismissed hosting it one year. Jack helped his son put together a rudimentary poster board presentation with a few clippings from magazines such as Jet and Ebony. What Jack discovered by this desire to help his son was the need for black history to not only be preserved in their area, but celebrated and proclaimed. Thus his quest began to collect artifacts, stories and collectible memorabilia, amassing over 4,669 pieces of African American artifacts with emphasis on Thomasville's First Black Achievers. Originally he would partake in traveling shows before eventually landing a facility of his own located at the former campus of Douglass High School. The current set-up is in what I assume was the old gym, but as Jack explained in his brief tour of the museum, he does have full access to the rest of the school and will someday (with proper funding) expand. [ THE EXPERIENCE ] I'd only come to Thomasville to see the 400-year-old tree known as The Big Oak. While there I discovered a town loaded with history, some of which is featured here in Jack Hadley's Museum. I was intrigued since my heart's desire is to return to Washington, DC to experience the National Museum of African American History & Culture. I arrived to what looked like an abandoned school with a few men painting the doors. I wasn't sure if I was in the right place or if they were open, but one of the men pointed me towards the correct entrance door. A young gentleman greeted me and informed me it was a $5 surcharge for adults, to which I initially said, "we'll come back another time." I could see a portion of the museum and it honestly looked too cluttered for me. I'm a 'less is more' person as well as EXTREMELY detail-oriented, so places like this overload my senses. I prefer larger, simpler displays and here it felt like I was looking at 1,000 open books. Just as I was turning away, Jack came into the room and encouraged me to stay to take a tour. He was particularly interested in having my 14-year-old son come inside. He told me to forget about the admission fee, he would waive it if we would take the tour, which started with a 5-minute video. What I REALLY appreciated about his collection were the local stories you most likely will not hear about anywhere else. One story was personal to Jack, of how the plantations were taken over by investors from the north whom built homes for local blacks, one of which Jack grew up in. He told of how one woman by the name of Pansy Ireland Poe would send black children to college and pay for it herself. He also told of stories of slaves that were actually PAID for their work, something I'd never heard of! The museum also touched on sports, politics, poets, musicians and other artists but inevitably cannot escape the darker parts of our past such as slavery & the Jim Crow era. After our tour, I promptly paid double the admission fee, even though Jack had waived it upon entry. I wanted him and his staff to know I appreciate what they are striving to achieve. [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] I can't speak for all African-Americans, but I will shamefully say as for me, I've bounced back and forth being both proud and dismayed of my skin color. Not ashamed mind you, just not as proud at times as I should have been. But how could I be? Pride often comes from knowing who you are. So much of our history has never been told, lost or deleted altogether. Only in the last decade or so I've begun to discover the history that was hidden from schoolbooks and common publications. History that would have made me walk a little taller, stand a little firmer and climb a little higher had I known of the achievements of my people dating back beyond biblical times. Recent movies such as The Help, Green Book and Hidden Figures were a complete surprise to me as well as discoveries of my own. I have a passion for covered bridges, and through my quest to discover the remaining bridges still standing in the south, I came across the story of Horace King; a slave whom earned his freedom building bridges that still stand over 100 years later. He even engineered the floating staircase in an Alabama courthouse that remains in use today. It makes me think of the current term Make America Great AGAIN, to which I think "again" should be dropped. How great we would have been if all men & women of all races had been allowed to freely explore their talents, abilities and been uninhibited in their contributions. So I APPLAUD YOU Jack Hadley for what you have managed to accomplish here in Thomasville, GA. May it continue to grow, improve and spread for generations! 2019/60 read more

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Thomasville's First Black History Museum is established to educate individuals about the history and culture of African Americans locally and nationally. One African-American historian, James "Jack" Hadley, has preserved over 4,669 pieces of African American artifacts with emphasis on Thomasville's First Black Achievers, state and national achievers that commemorate their lives and accomplishments. read more

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This is not the fanciest or nicest museum we've ever been to, but the heart and passion behind it is incomparable. There is lots of information, pictures, and items from history that is very interesting. Mr. Hadley himself came out and talked to us and put a short video on he wanted to share with us. He also took time and shared his thoughts after we asked a few questions about military and the Air Force for our youngest son who has recently showed an interest. They allowed us to walk freely around the museum and were near by if we had any questions. They had lots of information from the local people, but also plenty from many people around the states. If you are a history buff or just want to share some important information and history with your children or grandchildren this is definitely a great little place to stop if you're in the nearby area or passing through. read more

THE GREAT AND NOT SO GREAT! I really wanted to enjoy this museum but it just wasn't a great experience for me. My ideal museum experience means I walk in pay my money and then I am FREE to roam as I please without interruption. We enter the museum and are greeted by Mr. Hadley. He directs us to a room where we are able to watch a short film about his passion and how the current museum came to be. Great! After the film, I am ready to go but he wants to continue talking and sharing information. Not so great! After we are finally able to get up and start walking around to see the museum, he continues talking. While he engages my husband, I simply walk away to check out the various displays and the memorabilia covering every nook and cranny. Every once in a while I hear this jarring buzzer that sounds when someone enters and leaves the building. It is obnoxious and distracting. When I am in a museum, I want to hear nothing but my own thoughts, no chatty employees and no distracting sounds. There is a lot to see in this museum and would have been better experienced had it been less cluttered and better organized. It can be a bit overwhelming. I understand that Mr. Hadley is really passionate about what he does and probably works more with youth who come in to gather information for school reports. However, he must find a way to bridle his passion and step back so that others can explore the museum on their own terms and have an enjoyable experience. If you ask me if I want a guided tour or to freely roam and I say that I would like to just go off on my own, that is what I am expecting. If I have questions, I prefer to seek out an employee as opposed to having them check in with me. This museum is a mix of local and national history but is a greater resource for local history. It chronicles information regarding law enforcement personnel, educators, sports figures, military offices, entertainers and more. Much of what you will see addresses prominent blacks and "first" black achievements. *** Admission is only $5 and it is open from 10 am until 5pm. read more

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