Thomasville History Center

About the Thomasville History Center

Established in 1952 as the Thomas County Historical Society, the Thomasville History Center is one of Georgia’s oldest historical organizations and has operated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit since 1959. Located on a 3.5-acre campus in the heart of Thomasville's Dawson Street Residential Historic District, the Center preserves and interprets eight historic buildings that serve as both a museum and a research center. The History Center also operates the Lapham-Patterson House, an 1885 Victorian home designated as a National Historic Landmark and owned by the State of Georgia. Together, these sites welcome thousands of visitors each year through tours, programs, and special events.

Guided by a 11-member Board of Trustees and supported by a dedicated staff, the History Center fulfills its mission to “connect the Red Hills’ past with its present to inspire and enrich current and future generations.” Through a calendar of more than 30 annual programs, including lectures, workshops, and hands-on camps for students, the Center fosters curiosity and community pride. Its growing archival and artifact collection—spanning more than half a million items—documents over 200 years of Thomas County history and serves as a vital resource for researchers, educators, and residents alike.