Celebrate 200 Years of Community, Tradition, and Pride!
Join us as we honor Thomasville's Bicentennial with a year full of festivities, local history, live entertainment, family fun, and hometown spirit. From events and food trucks to special exhibits and music, there’s sure to be something for everyone as we celebrate two centuries of memories and milestones!
Our mission statement throughout 2026 will be to celebrate our places and people, honor the generations who came before us, and inspire a vibrant future for all who live, work, and visit our community. Our slogan throughout this year is Thomasville 200: Honoring our History, Inspiring our Future.
Help us celebrate in the following ways:
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Attend an Event
Opening ceremony on January 24, 2026 at The Ritz Amphitheater from 10AM – 1PM. Enjoy a free concert by the Emerald Empire band, partner organization booths, children’s activities, photo opportunities, & more.
Bicentennial Celebration Exhibition at Pebble Hill – Pebble Hill Plantation: A 200-Year Legacy
The exhibition explores the origins and evolution of Pebble Hill Plantation, beginning with Thomas Jefferson Johnson, who established his home on the property in 1825 and created a working plantation on the land that would later become Pebble Hill. Johnson was a prominent early leader in the region and a co-sponsor of the 1826 legislation that led to the formation of Thomas and Lowndes Counties. For more information, visit pebblehill.com or call (229) 226-2344.
2026 Bicentennial Lunch & Learn Series – Every first Tuesday of each of the following months at 12PM at the Thomasville History Center.
February 3: Jack Hadley, founder of the Jack Hadley Black History Museum, discusses the history of Thomas County’s Black Community.
March 3: Ephraim Rotter, curator of the Thomasville History Center, dicusses “Thomas County 101: What Every Citizen Ought to Know”
April 7: Loris Curtis, curator of Pebble Hill Plantation, discusses “Pebble Hill Plantation: A 200-Year Legacy”
September 8: Dr. Chip Bragg, historian and former anesthesiologist, will discuss the history of Archbold Hosital and its role in shaping Thomasville.
October 6: Jack Hadley Black History Museum will discuss the history of Thomas County’s Black community and its place in world events.
November 3: Pebble Hill Plantation Program Coordinator, Kitty Spivery, and Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Biologist, Anna Yellen, will discuss how centuries of concervation have shaped our regional ecology, and will share community science project opportunities that all ages can do to make a difference today.
Be on the look out for more events to come throughout the year!
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Tag Us Online
Help us celebrate all year long by sharing your favorite moments using one of our three official Bicentennial hashtags! Whether you're snapping a selfie at a community event, posting a historical photo, or just showing your hometown love—tag away and be part of the story! #thomasvillega200 #thomasville200 #tville200
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Be Part Of Our Bicentennial 200 Initiatives Challenge
Be part of Thomasville’s 200th anniversary all year long! Gather your friends, family, club, or organization to honor our amazing city in creative ways that tie back to the number 200—plant 200 flowers, sing 200 songs, clean 200 blocks, or find your own unique twist! Learn more about how to get involved here.
For more information about the City’s Bicentennial Celebration or to find out how to get involved, please contact the City of Thomasville’s Marketing Department at (229) 227-4015 or email events@thomasville.org.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Join us in celebrating by becoming a Bicentennial sponsor. Be a part of our city’s story. Funds raised from our sponsorship program will be used for three projects including a public art piece, a Bicentennial themed activity book, and a historical medallion marker. By sponsoring these initiatives, you are partnering with us in honoring our history and inspiring our future. Learn more about our Sponsorship Program here.
Bicentennial Video History
Learn more about Thomasville’s history through our video collection below. More videos will be added throughout the year.
Our Partners
The City of Thomasville’s Bicentennial Celebration is in partnership with Pebble Hill Plantation, Jack Hadley Black History Museum, Landmarks, Thomasville History Center, Thomasville Center for the Arts, Thomas County Schools, Thomasville City Schools, Discover Thomasville, Thomas County Public Library, Imagine Thomasville, Hands On Thomas County, Times Enterprise, Genealogy Library and Supporting Citizens.
Our Sponsors
BICENTENNIAL LEVEL ($5,000)
HERITAGE LEVEL ($1,000)
MILESTONE LEVEL ($500)
SUPPORTER LEVEL ($100)
Louis A. Carter
Robert & Jennifer Dewell