Jack Hadley Black History Museum

06/15/2026

06/15/2026

June 14, 1877-Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper became the first African American cadet to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was born enslaved in Thomasville, GA on March 21, 1856. After the Civil War Flipper enrolled at Atlanta University and as a freshman was appointed to West Point where there were already four black cadets. Despite the difficulties caused by his white classmates Flipper persevered and graduated becoming the first African-American commissioned officer in the regular United States Army. As a second lieutenant Flipper was the first non-white officer to command the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry. Flipper described his experience at West Point in the 1878 book “The Colored Cadet at West Point”. Flipper served with competency and distinction during the Apache Wars and the Victorio Campaign but was haunted by rumors alleging improprieties. Flipper was found guilty of “conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman” in 1881, court-martialed and dismissed from the service based on a relationship and correspondence with a white woman. After losing his commission in the Army Flipper remained in Texas working as a civil engineer in El Paso. In 1898 he volunteered to serve in the Spanish–American War but requests to restore his commission were ignored by Congress. He spent time in Mexico and on returning to the United States he served as an adviser to Senator Albert Fall on Mexican politics. When Senator Fall became Secretary of the Interior in 1921 he brought Flipper with him to Washington, DC to serve as his assistant. In 1923 Flipper went to work in Venezuela as an engineer in the petroleum industry. He retired to Atlanta in 1931 and died there April 26, 1940. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Atlanta. “Negro Frontiersman: The Western Memoirs of Henry O. Flipper” was published in 1963. The Department of the Army issued Flipper a posthumous Certificate of Honorable Discharge in 1976. After his discharge was changed a bust of Flipper was unveiled at West Point and annually the Henry O. Flipper Award is given to graduating cadets who exhibit “leadership, self-discipline and perseverance in the face of unusual difficulties”. His remains were reinterred in his hometown with full military honors in 1978. President William Jefferson Clinton issued a pardon in 1999. Flipper Park, Flipper Cemetery, and the Lt. Henry O. Flipper United States Post Office branch in his hometown are named in his honor.

06/14/2026

June 14, 1877-Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper became the first African American cadet to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was born enslaved in Thomasville, GA on March 21, 1856. After the Civil War Flipper enrolled at Atlanta University and as a freshman was appointed to West Point where there were already four black cadets. Despite the difficulties caused by his white classmates Flipper persevered and graduated becoming the first African-American commissioned officer in the regular United States Army. As a second lieutenant Flipper was the first non-white officer to command the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry. Flipper described his experience at West Point in the 1878 book “The Colored Cadet at West Point”. Flipper served with competency and distinction during the Apache Wars and the Victorio Campaign but was haunted by rumors alleging improprieties. Flipper was found guilty of “conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman” in 1881, court-martialed and dismissed from the service based on a relationship and correspondence with a white woman. After losing his commission in the Army Flipper remained in Texas working as a civil engineer in El Paso. In 1898 he volunteered to serve in the Spanish–American War but requests to restore his commission were ignored by Congress. He spent time in Mexico and on returning to the United States he served as an adviser to Senator Albert Fall on Mexican politics. When Senator Fall became Secretary of the Interior in 1921 he brought Flipper with him to Washington, DC to serve as his assistant. In 1923 Flipper went to work in Venezuela as an engineer in the petroleum industry. He retired to Atlanta in 1931 and died there April 26, 1940. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Atlanta. “Negro Frontiersman: The Western Memoirs of Henry O. Flipper” was published in 1963. The Department of the Army issued Flipper a posthumous Certificate of Honorable Discharge in 1976. After his discharge was changed a bust of Flipper was unveiled at West Point and annually the Henry O. Flipper Award is given to graduating cadets who exhibit “leadership, self-discipline and perseverance in the face of unusual difficulties”. His remains were reinterred in his hometown with full military honors in 1978. President William Jefferson Clinton issued a pardon in 1999. Flipper Park, Flipper Cemetery, and the Lt. Henry O. Flipper United States Post Office branch in his hometown are named in his honor.

05/31/2026

A special 90th birthday celebration was held for a local historian, Jack Hadley, who has spent a lifetime helping, educating and pouring into others.

05/31/2026

Happy 90th birthday to the founder, CEO, and Executive Director emeritus of the Jack Hadley Black History Museum the legend Mr. James Jack Hadley!

05/22/2026

It’s a new era for the Jack Hadley Black History Museum in Thomasville as the beloved institution gets ready to expand to its long awaited new location.

READ MORE ⬇️

05/19/2026

The Jack Hadley Black History Museum will be closed to the public on Tuesday, May 19 as the museum serves as an official Election Day polling location.

The museum will reopen during normal business hours on Wednesday, May 20th.

05/15/2026

ONE WEEK LEFT TO APPLY

There is just one week left to apply for the NAACP Dr. Eliza and Dr. Richard Grier Scholarship for the 2026–2027 academic year. This $10,000 scholarship honors two trailblazing physicians who served southwest Georgia and can be used at any accredited college or university nationwide.

Preference is given to students from Thomas, Brooks, or Colquitt County, or those with family ties to the area.

Application Deadline: May 22, 2026

Apply here: https://naacpinspire.smapply.io/prog/dr_eliza_and_dr_richard_grier_scholarship/

For more information, please contact Sarah Byrne, Museum Educator, at [email protected].

Please help us spread the word.

05/03/2026

Are you a resident of Thomas County and have been thinking of visiting the Jack Hadley Black History Museum? This week is your chance!

In celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week, join us right here at home and be a tourist in your own town. We’re offering $1 admission for Thomas County residents all week long!

We are open Tuesday, May 5th through Saturday, May 9th (please note we are closed May 3rd and 4th).

Come explore the stories, history, and legacy that make our community so special, we’d love to welcome you in!

05/01/2026

Today’s the day! Join us this evening for our third Virtual Talk Series of 2026 with Dr. Linda Walden.

Dr. Walden, who led the effort to have Jackie Robinson’s birthplace in Cairo placed on the National Register of Historic Places, will share a special talk on the life and legacy of Robinson, exploring his impact on American history, baseball, and the lasting influence he continues to have today.

🗓️ Today, May 1, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM
💻 Zoom ID: 933 849 1871
We hope to see you there!