As Pre-K through 5th grade students across Thomas County return to school, they are joining Thomasville’s Historic Bicentennial Celebration. The Thomasville Bicentennial Committee is providing more than 4,000 students with “THOMASVILLE AT 200 a Bicentennial Activity Book” that will offer young learners a fun and engaging way to explore local history during the city’s 200th anniversary year.
“The activity books were created as part of the community-wide celebration marking Thomasville’s bicentennial,” said April Norton Managing Director of Marketing & Communications. “Designed with children in mind, the books feature interactive activities, illustrations, and age‑appropriate history lessons that help students learn about Thomasville’s past, its cultural heritage, and key moments that shaped the community.”
Coordinated with Thomas County Schools, the Thomasville City Schools, and local private schools, the distribution ensures that every elementary-aged student in the area has access to the commemorative book. “This project reflects the broader goal of the bicentennial celebration: honoring Thomasville’s history while inspiring future generations,” said Norton. “By placing these books directly in the hands of young students, the committee hopes to spark curiosity and encourage families to take part in upcoming bicentennial events.”
According to Norton, the Activity Book was made possible through the generosity of sponsorships and grant funding. “Funding for the Thomasville Bicentennial Activity Book project was made possible through a grant from the Cherokee Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation of South Georgia, along with generous sponsorships from USMA Westpoint Class of 1977, Hurst Boiler, Flowers Foods, Literacy for Thomas County, Thomasville Center for the Arts and Ponders,” said Norton. “Through their generous support, all Pre‑K through 5th grade students in Thomas County were provided with a high‑quality, engaging activity book that connects them to the Bicentennial celebration.”
“This incredible book was created by city partners including Jennifer Vanderbeek with Thomasville Center for the Arts, Meme Greitzer with Thomasville History Center, Sarah Byrne with Jack Hadley Black History Museum, and Kitty Spivey with Pebble Hill Plantation,” said Norton. “The time and efforts of this collaborative is a true symbol of why Thomasville has always been and always will be a special community.”
The City of Thomasville’s Bicentennial Celebration is in partnership with Pebble Hill Plantation, Jack Hadley Black History Museum, Thomasville Landmarks, Thomasville History Center, Thomas County Commission, Thomasville Center for the Arts, Thomas County Schools, Thomasville City Schools, Discover Thomasville, Thomas County Public Library, Imagine Thomasville, Hands On Thomas County, Thomasville Times-Enterprise, Genealogy Library and Supporting Citizens.
The Thomasville Bicentennial Celebration continues through 2026 with a series of programs, exhibits, and community activities recognizing the city’s rich 200‑year history. 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.