Jack Hadley Black History Museum

Rosetta James Hadley, the mother of James "Jack" Hadley, operated a beauty parlor for 28 years in Thomasville. Rosetta studied Beauty Culture at the La Charm Beauty School in Thomasville under the direction of Gertrude Horne. She passed the state board examination at the Washington Beauty School of Albany and later took an extension course at the Madam Cargo school of Savannah where she earned her diploma.

To continue our celebration of Woman's history month, we will be highlighting one of Albany, Georgia's own civil rights activist, Rutha Harris. Rutha Harris, from Albany, Georgia, was a founding member of the SNCC freedom singers, who sang in protest and support for the Civil Rights movement in the United States. The group was founded in 1962 and was originally a student quartet from Albany State College. The Freedom Singers performed at the March on Washington, where Dr. M...artin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream Speech." Additionally, The Freedom Singers contributed to a live album in 1963, where the group sang "We Shall Overcome" with Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Peter, Paul, and Mary. During Rutha Harris's time as a civil rights activist, she was arrested 3 times and spent a total of 14 nights in jail. Throughout March, we will be highlighting several different women who have made a difference in both our community and our nation. In addition to our social media, we invite everyone to go to our website, and check out our virtual exhibits which feature some of these incredible women! To check out our virtual Woman's History Exhibit please following this link: While you are there be sure to check out some of our other exhibits as well! With more to come in the future!

As part of our celebration for Black History Month, the Jack Hadley Black History Museum teamed up with the Thomas County Central High School's Art Department. At the beginning of last month, the Museum Zoomed into art teacher, Mrs. Maria Pittman's art room and presented on over 20 local African American Heroes and Heroines housed in the Museum. The students then created an artwork inspired by famous African American Artist, Kehinde Wiley. The students selected a local Afric...an American person that they were inspired by and then wrote a short artist statement regarding why they selected this person, and how they are an inspiration to them. Throughout March, we will be highlighting some of these artworks, and the artist statements provided by the students. Artist: Marshadron Hollis Age: 17 Grade 11th Local Figure: General Lloyd J. Austin, III Artist Statement: It is important to celebrate local African American history because for so long it has been overshadowed, but now it can serve as a guide or role model for the lives of African Americans today. General Lloyd J. Austin, III becoming the Secretary of Defense is great and monumental as he is related to the first black man that took strides in the military, Lt. Henry O. Flipper. General Lloyd J. Austin, III : General Lloyd J. Austin III, was raised right here in Thomasville and is the grand nephew to Lt. Henry O. Flipper, the first black graduate of West Point. General Lloyd J. Austin III graduated from Thomasville High School, and West Point Military Academy and had a tremendous military career becoming a 4-star General in the army. During his career, he served as the Director of the Joint Staff, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, and Commander of the US Central Command. He retired in 2016, however just recently, in 2021 he was confirmed under the Biden Administration as the Secretary of Defense, the first African American to hold that position.

To continue our celebration of Woman's history month, we will be highlighting one of Thomasville's own educators. Mrs. Mildred Newton. Mildred Williams Newton was an educator who has touched the lives of over 2,000 students in the Thomas County area, and thousands of more students at the Rosenwald Schools. Mildred Newton went to the Allen Normal school in Thomasville, Georgia, where she got her teacher training in 1927. After Allen Normal school, she went on to go to Tallade...ga College and Columbia University where she got her degrees. She taught all over the South including the states of North Carolina, Kentucky, and Alabama before coming back to Thomasville, Georgia, where she ended up teaching for several years until she retired. Her legacy lives on through the countless students who she had a tremendous impact on their lives through her years of teaching. Throughout March, we will be highlighting several different women who have made a difference in both our community and our nation. In addition to our social media, we invite everyone to go to our website, and check out our virtual exhibits which feature some of these incredible women! To check out our virtual Woman's History Exhibit please following this link: https://jackhadleyblackhistorymuseum.com/ga/womens-history/ While you are there be sure to check out some of our other exhibits as well! With more to come in the future!

To start our celebration of Woman's history month, we will be highlighting one of Thomasville's own. Dr. Eliza Ann Grier is the first African American woman to be a doctor in Thomasville, Georgia. Dr. Eliza Ann Grier was born in 1862 into slavery in Atlanta. After the end of slavery, and finishing school, Dr. Grier became a teacher. Despite this, she had the goal of becoming a doctor, so in 1890, she wrote to the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania asking for admission ...and assistance with tuition. The dean of the school admitted her into the college under the condition that in-between each year of Medical training, she would spend a year off picking cotton for the school. Dr. Grier determined to become a doctor, agreed to this deal. It took her 7 years of this back and forth, however, in 1897 she got her degree and graduated. In 1901, she returned to Thomasville and opened up her Residency with a focus on Women and Children. She became the first African American doctor in Thomasville. Throughout March, we will be highlighting several different women who have made a difference in both our community and our nation. In addition to our social media, we invite everyone to go to our website, and check out our virtual exhibits which feature some of these incredible women! To check out our virtual Woman's History Exhibit please following this link: https://jackhadleyblackhistorymuseum.com/ga/womens-history/ While you are there be sure to check out some of our other exhibits as well! With more to come in the future!

To continue our celebration of Black History Month, we invite everyone to attend our third Virtual Talk, tonight at 6:00 PM. Joining us all the way from The University of Gdansk in Poland is Dr. Piotr Derengowski. Dr. Derengowski will be presenting on "The brief history of the U.S. Colored Troops in the Civil War." Dr. Thomas Aiello, from Valdosta State University, will be our guest moderator. We hope to see everyone there for what will be an interesting and educational prese...ntation! Topic: Dr. Piotr Derengowski Virtual Talk Series 2021 Time: Feb 15, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9338491871 Meeting ID: 933 849 1871 One tap mobile +13126266799,,9338491871# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,9338491871# US (New York)

https://www.wctv.tv//jack-hadley-black-history-museum-fig/

If you missed our second Virtual Talk for Black History Month or would like to watch it again, you can by following the link below! In our second Talk, Col. Nathan Thomas presented on the topic of "The Buffalo Soldiers" Every Monday in February at 6:00 PM, the Jack Hadley Black History Museum will be hosting a live guest speaker on Zoom for our celebration of Black History Month. We hope to see everyone next Monday at 6:00 PM when Dr. Piotr Derengowski will be giving a vir...tual talk on "The brief history of the U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War" https://youtu.be/JqE5QT-3Da4

To continue our celebration of Black History Month, we invite everyone to attend our second Virtual Talk, tonight at 6:00 PM. Col. Nathan Thomas, will be presenting on "The Buffalo Soldiers." Dr. Thomas Aiello, from Valdosta State University, will be our guest moderator. We hope to see everyone there for what will be an interesting and educational presentation! Topic: Col. Nathan Thomas Virtual Talk Series 2021 Time: Feb 8, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)... Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9338491871 Meeting ID: 933 849 1871 One tap mobile +13126266799,,9338491871# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,9338491871# US (New York)

The Jack Hadley Black History Museum presents the 3rd Annual Gala a Masquerade Fundraiser to Save the Historic Imperial Hotel located in Thomasville, Georgia. This virtual event will take place on Saturday, February 27, 2021, at 7 p.m. The Imperial, built-in 1949 was listed in the Green Book, a road map that identified Black-owned hotels where Blacks could safely stop and stay while traveling through the South. The Jack Hadley Black History Museum, now owners of the hotel,... and in collaboration with the Williams Family Foundation and Thomasville Landmarks, are working to preserve this historical site. All registered participants will be entered into a drawing to win a one-week free vacation to the resort of their choice. The winner only pays travel and food expenses. We hope you will participate in the masquerade festivities by wearing your most decorative mask. One special participant with the most creative mask will be selected to receive a $100 Visa gift card at the end of the gala. Please see the invitation below or go directly to the link to register. https://jackhadleyblackhistorymuseum.com/events/masquerade/ If you wish to send a check by mail to register for the event, please send it no later than February the 25th, to ensure we get payment before the Gala. Please make the check payable to: Jack Hadley Black History Museum Address: 214 Alexander Street, Thomasville, Georgia 31792

Thomasville’s own

Today we are highlighting the first Female certified officer employed by the Thomasville Police Department. Lucinda J. Brown was hired in 1977 and is a recipient of the police officer of the year award.

Today we are highlighting a man who spent his life in the field of Education. Johnnie Jones was the principal of Magnolia High School, the all-black county school, from 1958-1970.

Today we are highlighting the First African American Pharmacist in Thomasville, Georgia, Dr. Alfred Benjamin Dockett Sr. Dockett’s Pharmacy was located in the Bottom district in Thomasville, next to the old Ritz theatre. He operated his Pharmacy from the 1920s through the 1960s. His Wife, pictured left, Mrs. Rose Floyd Dockett, was the first black woman to graduate as a pharmacist from the Florida A&M University School of Pharmacy. She operated and ran Dockett's Pharmacy after her husband's death up until her own.

Come join us now for our 3rd and final virtual talk series starting now! The topic tonight is Racial Violence in a Sister State: The 1923 Rosewood incident, presented by Dr. Maxine Jones. Please join us in this special presentation on Zoom, we hope to see you there! Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9338491871 Meeting ID: 933 849 1871