Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Museum is part of Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College. A…read moregreat place to visit and learn about life in the south during the late 1800s. The Museum in open from 9am to 3pm - Tuesday - Saturday. Closed on Sun and Monday. The Country Store is open from 9am to 5pm - Monday - Saturday. Closed on Sunday. The Country Store is a perfect rest stop if you are just passing through the area and need to stretch your legs, pick up some snacks and make a pit stop. Easy access off I-75. Clean rest rooms. Purchase tickets for admission to the Georgia Museum of Agriculture. The museum is a living history museum that focuses on 19th century life in the rural south. It has a working farm along with all the support buildings and business operations that would have existed during that time. All of the structures have authentic furnishings of the period. After you take a guided tour of the main museum, you can spend a few hours or the entire day exploring the historic buildings and talking with the interpreters dressed in 19th century attire. The interpreters perform daily activities that would have occurred in the farmhouses, fields, sawmill, turpentine still, schoolhouse, blacksmith's shop, and the grist mill. The main street has a Feed and Seed store, print shop and the drug store. Be sure to stop by the drug store and get a root beer float! A main highlight is riding the steam train from the Country Store into the village train station. The Country Store is a unique one-stop-shop for true South GA items, offering southern hospitality along with merchandise. A lot of the items in the store were produced at the living museum such as grits and corn meal milled at the museum's water powered Grist Mill. Turpentine is produced at the museum. Ornaments are hand crafted by the museum's black smith. You will also find a preserves, honey, cane syrup - all produced by the volunteers and staff at the museum using 19th century tools and skills. Be sure to get a bag of Grits and Corn Meal. Plan to visit the seasonal farmer's market on Saturdays. Booths are setup with local vendors that sell everything from locally grown vegetables, specialty cheeses/baked goods, and arts/crafts.

We enjoyed walking around at our own pace. Nice little shop. Enjoy seeing the gristmill in action.read more

Really two museums in one. The front covers the history of the base which was used to train pilots…read morein WWII. In back are the hangers where their restored aircraft are (and ones undergoing restoration). The volunteers are very willing to show you around and explain each plane and its historical significance. We spent two hours there and can't believe no one else visited. It is a true hidden gem!!

What a wonderful plantation estate to visit! There's plenty of parking and everyone we met there…read morewas super friendly. You begin your tour from the visitors center, where you pay admissions ($5.50 pp for the grounds & $16pp for the main house tour), watch a historical video on the plantation, and view the exhibits. Since we drove up from Panama City Beach, FL we only had time to tour the grounds, not the main house. We spend a couple hours touring the grounds and still didn't see everything. So much to see! The stables were really cool! We met a nice lady feeding the draft horses and she introduced us to all the horses and mules. She told us stories about them...you can tell the animals there are really cared for and loved. The front of the main house and gardens are gorgeous! There are fountains and bird baths throughout. We also enjoyed walking through the family cemetery...nicely manicured and very serene. The dog hospital, nurse's station, and log cabin schoolhouse were buildings we're not used to seeing on plantations. They were all so interesting. Overall we really enjoyed our time here. Would highly recommend!

I came for its grand reopening. What a nice event ! I loved exploring. We look forward to returning…read moreto see the rest of the plantation. My only cautionary for you is to stay moving with your feet because I got but by fire ants on premise, so just be careful. Maybe I stood still too long. Get ready to be in a place that'll take your breath away !!

Southwest Georgia (SOWEGA) and Albany, in particular, often gets a bad rap. Amidst all of the…read morenegativity surrounding the citizens, many people often forget how much attractions the city actually offers. Of course Albany will NEVER be like Atlanta or Savannah in terms of things to do and events to see, but for a population of 100,000 plus there are quite a few gems located here. This, my fellow Yelpers, happens to be one of them. The Thronateeska Heritage Museum is basically a museum of about the history and origins of both Albany and SOWEGA as a whole. There are different types of exhibits that are open only at certain times of the day. Quite a few of the exhibits are geared towards children so this is something that young kids would probably enjoy. There is also a display of old Albany Herald newspaper clippings from way back into the 1890's. Additionally, there is also a science museum here which contains very educational information pertaining to the weather, the 1994 Albany flood, space, etc. all of which are free of charge (though they do accept donations). It doesn't get any better than that. I am somewhat of a historian. You probably couldn't tell upon looking at my black ugly mug, but I do love learning about things that have occurred in the past. It is fascinating to me how much things can change over a period of time. I spent hours reading the different volume of books about the history of Southwest Georgia. The staff were even nice enough to show a video presentation about the rural life of Southwest Georgia. There is a lot of educational value at this museum. If you have kids, this is not a bad place to spend a Saturday afternoon. It's free of charge so NO EXCUSES, lol.

We are Very Disappointe!! I called ahead before making the 40 minute drive and asked specifically…read moreabout the planetarium shows for Today, was told there are several options and the hours of operation, only to find the planetarium shows are Not showing today upon arrival!! My children, particularly my Utistic child who is leaving in a tantrum, are Very upset!!

This is a great place to spend a day out with your family. They are a huge playground with tires…read moreswings and sand areas for kids. There's a beautiful field to pick fruit in based on the time of year. We picked fresh and delicious strawberries. The store has a huge variety of clothing including Simply Southern, toys, decor, snacks, drinks, and candy. The fresh fruit slushies are delicious. They have ice cream that you can buy by the container or in a cup or cone. There's a sheltered area with several picnic tables to sit and relax while your kids play on the playground. This is the ideal location for birthday parties.

The blueberries and the ice cream are my family's favorite…read more We try to go when we are in Georgia.

From the moment you step foot into the exhibition buildings, it is immediately apparent that a…read moretremendous amount of care and strategic planning went into designing this facility. The exhibition halls themselves are exceptionally well laid out, guiding visitors through a seamless and logical journey. Rather than feeling cluttered or overwhelming, the spacious design of the buildings allows each display to breathe, successfully preventing the bottlenecks and crowding often found in popular public spaces. The thoughtful spatial arrangement and wide corridors naturally draw you from one historic milestone to the next, creating an intuitive flow that makes exploring the vast collections both effortless and highly engaging. The architecture and indoor environment perfectly complement the contents, as the exhibition buildings are pristine, climate-controlled, and in immaculate condition. It is clear that the facility and restoration teams take immense pride in maintenance, as every structural area and display zone is wonderfully kept and polished to perfection. The interior spaces are engineered thoughtfully, utilizing dramatic lighting and multi-level viewing platforms that allow enthusiasts to get an up-close look at the massive artifacts from multiple unique angles. Standing inside these magnificent, beautifully preserved structures truly enhances the overall experience and brings the history to life. Without a doubt, the absolute highlight of the entire visit was getting to see the legendary SR-71 Blackbird up close. This iconic reconnaissance aircraft is positioned masterfully within the hangar, perfectly catching the light to showcase its sleek, menacing titanium fuselage. The sheer size and futuristic design of the Blackbird are breathtaking in person, and the museum provides excellent vantage points that allow you to fully appreciate its unique engineering. Seeing this marvel of engineering preserved in such immaculate condition is worth the admission price alone and leaves a lasting impression. Complementing these spectacular physical spaces are the highly detailed, easy-to-understand information boards situated throughout the exhibition buildings. Instead of relying on dense, dry academic text, the plaques offer a perfect balance of technical specifications, historical context, and captivating anecdotes. The clear typography, structural timelines, and helpful diagrams ensure that the information is universally accessible, allowing casual tourists and seasoned buffs alike to learn at their own pace. This stellar combination of an intuitive building layout, pristine artifacts, and educational clarity makes the facility an absolute triumph.

I came here for the first time in over two decades because some of my out of state family wanted to…read morevisit. I'm not big into aviation but my Dad was an Air Force lifer and I'm so glad that I decided to go with them. It was a rainy day so we only saw the main building but that still took almost 2 hours. There is SO much to see here. You move at your own pace and take as much time as you'd like. I think it might be nice if they offered tours since it's three stories, but it's definitely not hard to figure out and you aren't missing things if you don't go in a certain order. My favorite was the third floor where you could look outside and see all of the air planes. (There is no longer a cafe up there. There used to be!) We had all age ranges from 75 to 11. I think everyone enjoyed it. The gift shop was really cool and I was able to pick up some "souvenirs" from my home town. We did not encounter many employees except when we entered the building. That lady was super friendly and helpful. There was plenty of parking and this is FREE...so please check it out!

We must remember this time in our not so different past. This park is in remembrance of that time…read moreand those who literally changed the world. I particularly liked the fountain in the center of the park, a true tribute to that turbulent time. We need places like this, where the shadows of the past come back to life and their whispers can be heard by the generations that will come after we have long stopped our time upon this planet.

This is a great history lesson. It reminds you how much of an all hands on deck situation the civil…read morerights movement was. There are names you know and ones you'll learn about at the park. I encourage everyone to take time to learn the lessons and share it with others. This is not something you'll find in a textbook and most people never heard of Charles Sherrod so we must change that.

Went to the farmers market here you have to go thru the store to get there. The person behind the…read morecounter was less than helpful. She had to be called out from an office to handle customers. The people at the farmers market on the other hand were super helpful and friendly. Too bad customer service is dead.

Didn't realize there was a Black History Museum in Thomasville! A planned trip to some museums in…read moreMontgomery 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).

I want to be clear from the very beginning. Visually this is not a 5-star museum, but it IS a…read more5-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