THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WCTV) - A special 90th birthday celebration was held on Saturday for a local historian, Jack Hadley, who has spent a lifetime helping, educating and pouring into others.

Hadley founded the Jack Hadley Black History Museum in 1995 to educate the community and this weekend, he was on the receiving end of the community’s gratitude.

Dozens of family, friends and community members gathered in Thomasville to honor Hadley for his 90th birthday. Hadley is also a veteran and says he saw a need in South Georgia for a museum that would create a lasting legacy for others around him.

“I realized our kids, black kids, all kids, they need to know more about our history and culture, it’s not publicized out there. That’s my sticking point when I see kids walking out there to that museum and see the collection and the first word to come is ‘wow,’ then I know that what we’re doing is making a difference,” Hadley said.

The 90-year-old said his favorite gift this birthday was spending time with his loved ones. The tribute was a strong reminder of the impact of his work, activism and love on the community.

“I feel good, I feel good, the fact that people care about me, that appreciate what I’m doing, white and black. I’m going to just sky it on the line, they appreciate what I’m doing and they support what we’re doing at the museum,” Hadley said.

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