On Thomasville
We chose to be married in Thomasville, GA because it is so special to both our families. Originally from Mobile, AL, Katie’s dad’s parents moved to Thomasville in the 1970s where they raised their family. Katie has such fond memories of visiting Thomasville throughout her childhood and attending family gatherings there. Both of Bryant’s parents, and grandparents, are from Thomas County and he grew-up there. What a small world!
Thomasville, Georgia
Thomas County, located in southwest Georgia and bordering Florida, was formed in 1825 by legislation introduced by Thomas J. Johnson, owner-builder of Pebble Hill Plantation. One year later, on December 22, 1826, a location was established for the new county seat, Thomasville.
As the terminus for the railroad, Thomasville was accessible from the north and, during the late 1800s, became known as the “Winter Resort of the South.” In the beginning of
this era, Northerners and other visitors came to Thomasville for their health, breathing the pine-scented air as a curative for pulmonary ailments. They were soon joined by friends to enjoy hunting, fishing, and an active social life, including golf, horse racing, and bicycling. Thomasville came to represent the best of Southern hospitality with the lavishness of the resort lifestyle.
Thomasville’s luxurious hotels regularly hosted America’s wealthiest families as their guests. Once discovered that it cost less to purchase land than rent hotel rooms, these wealthy families bought property and built grand Victorian mansions and plantation homes. Many of these plantations are still owned by the families who built them and are visited year round. Many of the “winter cottages” built during the 1880s have been restored through efforts of Thomasville Landmarks and Thomasville citizens.
Thomasville and Thomas County have continued the area’s long-standing tradition of cultural and economic diversity. There is a rich heritage in Thomas County, and the community works hard to guard and preserve its history and tradition.
Thomasville gained national attention during the presidency of General Dwight D.Eisenhower, 1952-1960. During his presidency, “Ike” visited Thomasville six times, usually staying at Milestone Plantation, owned by his Treasury Secretary George Humphrey. Ike, Humphrey, and a cadre of other political leaders spent their early Februaries hunting quail, playing bridge, and shooting rounds of golf. The first round of golf played by Eisenhower at Glen Arven Country Club following his 1955 heart attack was followed closely by the national media. Eisenhower at times had to deal with important domestic and international affairs while on vacation in Thomasville, including the Suez Crises.
Pebble Hill Plantation
The history of Pebble Hill Plantation starts with the Georgia Land Lottery of 1820 and the opening of Southwest Georgia for European settlement. The land that became the heart of the plantation was purchased by Thomas Jefferson Johnson in 1825.
In 1896, Cleveland’s Howard Melville Hanna purchased Pebble Hill and the land passed into the hands of the plantation’s second great family. Howard Melville Hanna (Mel) gave 
the property to his daughter Kate in 1901. Upon Kate’s death in 1936, Pebble Hill passed to her daughter Elisabeth (known to everyone as Miss Pansy). Pansy was mistress of Pebble Hill until her death in 1978. Pansy decided around 1950 that she would like for Pebble Hill to become a museum open for all to enjoy. To that end she formed a trust to receive the property upon her death and set aside an appropriate endowment. The museum opened in 1983.
Like her mother, Miss Pansy was one of the premier sportswomen of her day. She loved horses and hounds and all of the events that revolved around them. She rode her hunter/jumper Showmaid at the Grand National Horseshow in 1929 winning 1st place in her class. She was one of the first women to play polo, and raised champion thoroughbred racehorses on her Shawnee Farms in Kentucky. Additionally, Pansy owned a breeding and training operation in Ireland from which her horses won major races in the United Kingdom. She took her dogs to field trials here in the U.S. where she was an avid and winning participant.
Miss Pansy put in place all that was necessary for Pebble Hill to become a museum. The art collections of both Kate and Pansy are highlighted in the exquisite Main House. Additionally, Pebble Hill Museum contains splendid collections of antique furniture, china, equestrian paraphernalia, and turn of the century carriages.
Pebble Hill Plantation also served an important role in early days of Bryant’s dad’s career. Alongside his friend Dale Boland, Mr. Harden spent years learning the art of taxidermy in the the cow barn at Pebble Hill.
We’re so looking forward to having our Rehearsal Dinner here!
All Saints Episcopal Church
One of the most beautiful historic churches in the region, All Saints was actually built in 1881 as Saint Augustine Roman Catholic Church. In the early 1980s, the church was saved from demolition, moved to its present site in the Tockwotton Historic District, and reconsecrated as an Episcopal Church.
It also has the distinction as the church where Jacqueline Kennedy attended mass during a six week private retreat to a Thomasville plantation following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
We can’t wait to be married here by Father Paul B. Hancock. We love that we’re getting married at an All Saints as Katie grew up attending All Saints Episcopal in Winter Park, FL.
Glen Arven Country Club
Between 1888 and 1891, J. Wyman Jones, a New Jersey businessman, established a wooded park stocked with game birds and wild animals, thus creating the first local hunting preserve. In1895, he renamed it the Glen Arven Country Club and opened one of the first golf courses in the country.
With its founding dated back to the 1890s, Glen Arven is one of the oldest clubs in America. Its 120 year history is rich and fascinating: Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson and many other golf legends walked its fairways during the late 1930s when Glen Arven was a stop on the fledgling PGA tour. It was on the 18th hole of Glen Arven in 1956 that then president Dwight D. Eisenhower deemed himself fit enough to run for another term as President of the United States.
We’re so excited for our Reception to be hosted here and to dance the night away with you!
Katie & Bryant 