Get to know Thomson through its history, architecture and music. Its cultural offerings range from the McDuffie Museum and historic downtown buildings to a public art project and a music festival. When planning your trip, you can distinguish these enduring cultural highlights from the festival program, whose musical influences may vary from one edition to the next.

History in Thomson and McDuffie County

The McDuffie Museum is free and dedicated to the history of Thomson and McDuffie County. Its exhibits cover topics including Indigenous tribes as the first inhabitants, the lost Quaker colony of Wrightsboro, and residents who played an important role in the nation’s history. The museum’s scope thus encompasses both the city and the county’s history.

Hickory Hill also brings together architecture and political history. This imposing neoclassical building is three stories tall, painted white and made of wood; a gabled roof defines its shape. After Thomas E. Watson moved to Hickory Hill in 1904, the house became a place of great political significance. Its design and historical role offer two distinct ways to explore the site.

Historic Downtown Buildings

The Thomson Commercial Historic District encompasses the intact, predominantly commercial historic buildings and structures in downtown. It is arranged around the city’s original axis: the intersection of the Georgia Railroad and Wrightsboro Road. The buildings thus represent not only individual structures but also the historic layout of the city center.

Specific dates reveal the district’s architectural history. The Railroad Depot dates to 1860 and was expanded in 1904 and 1908. The district also includes the Martin Theater, a 1950 building in the modern style. Another focal point is the 1915 monument Women of the Sixties. It commemorates women on the home front during the American Civil War and veterans from McDuffie County who served in the war.

Tours, Art and Music

The self-guided Downtown Thomson Walking Tour shares stories about historic buildings and influential local figures. It offers a narrative approach to the city’s history alongside the architectural details of the Historic District. The historic Wrightsboro Church is another testament to the early Quaker settlement in McDuffie County.

McTell’s 12-String Strut offers another perspective on local culture: the public art project includes several seven-foot-tall, hand-painted replicas of Stella guitars, created by local visual artists. Music is also part of the area’s cultural profile. The Blind Willie McTell Music Festival brings together influences from roots, blues, Americana, bluegrass, Cajun music and rock, and takes place in the hometown of legendary blues musician Blind Willie McTell. Because the mix of genres may vary from one edition to the next, it is best to plan for the festival separately from the historic attractions described here.

Getting There and Finding Accommodation

Thomson-McDuffie Regional Airport serves Thomson, Augusta and the area around Reynolds Plantation/Lake Oconee Resort. Check current operating conditions before your trip. This can help you decide what to focus on without treating historical sightseeing and a festival program as the same kind of experience.

For a broader travel overview: Mcduffie County.