The 2020 program calendar for the Thomasville History Center kicks off January 12 at 3 p.m. with the Annual Membership Meeting, a gathering of members, neighbors, and the community for a program that includes a brief business meeting and a special guest speaker.

During “Museums vs. Mother Nature,” Paula Williams, the recently retired executive director of the Albany Museum of Art, will share her experiences in leading the recovery and reconstruction efforts her institution faced following two devastating tornadoes in January 2017 and Hurricane Michael in October 2018. Join the History Center as it explores how museums and cultural institutions prepare for and react to the unimaginable.

Williams led the Albany Museum of Art from 1990-93 and again from 2014 until her retirement in June 2019. Under her leadership, the AMA achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, an achievement held by a small percentage of museums nationwide.

This program will be held at the History Center and is presented free of charge and is open to all. Light refreshments will be served and parking is available on Dawson Street.

The Thomasville History Center was formed in 1952 and opened a museum within the Flowers-Roberts House in 1972.  Since 1972, the Thomasville History Center’s collections have grown to include more than 500,000 artifacts and archival materials and eight historic structures.  The History Center, in partnership with the state of Georgia, also operates the historic Lapham-Patterson House. 

Find the Thomasville History Center on Instagram and Facebook using @thomasvillehistory to follow its daily updates on current programs, research projects, and images from its photographic archives. For more information, visit www.thomasvillehistory.org or call (229) 226-7664.