Columbus State University News
Columbus State names Archives in honor of Georgia historian Kenneth H. Thomas Jr.
October 19, 2026
Columbus State University has officially named its Archives & Special Collections after Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr. in recognition of a significant philanthropic gift from the renowned historian, preservationist and Columbus native. Thomas’ life’s work is synonymous with documenting and safeguarding Georgia’s past.
The Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr. Archives & Special Collections, part of the Columbus State University Libraries’ network, exemplifies the university’s dedication to preserving the rich history, social fabric and cultural heritage of Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley region. It serves students, faculty, scholars and independent researchers worldwide, offering rare manuscripts, historic photographs, specialized collections, one-of-a-kind maps and many other exclusive materials.
“Ken Thomas has embodied the highest ideals of historical scholarship, public advocacy and stewardship throughout his tenure as a journalist, historian and genealogist. For nearly half a century, he has been a driving force behind cultivating Georgia’s historical and archival collections,” said Dr. Bryan Banks, dean of libraries and archives at Columbus State University.
“His philanthropic support advances our mission of preserving history and safeguarding the irreplaceable record of the Chattahoochee Valley while offering our students unprecedented opportunities for unique and high-caliber historical research,” Banks continued. “We are deeply honored that our Archives will bear the name of a pioneer who has given so much to our community and state, and who has, for more than a decade, invested in our archival efforts at Columbus State.”
Thomas’ permanent endowment will enable Columbus State to expand its community initiatives, including workshops and lectures, and increase global access to archival collections through digitization. It will also support the Thomas Archives & Special Collections to continue its focus on acquiring and preserving regional historical documents and artifacts. The endowment will deepen students’ experiential learning through specialized projects, conservation efforts and preservation practices—enriching their educational experience and inspiring more students to emulate Thomas’ example.
His gift also positions the Thomas Archives & Special Collections as a key contributor to the upcoming celebration of the city of Columbus’ founding in 1828. As part of Columbus 2028, archives leaders look to acquire new collections and support efforts to document, preserve and educate others about the Chattahoochee Valley’s rich history.
Thomas (center) with (left to right) Dr. Bryan Banks, dean of Libraries & Archives;
David Owings, director of the archives and associate dean of libraries; and Thomas'
sister, Melissa Thomas, and her husband, Jim Thomas.
A passion for history
Thomas, a proud Columbus native and Columbus High School alumnus, traces his family roots in the area back to the 1820s. His interest in genealogy and regional history began in his early 1960s high school years and became the foundation of a renowned career in public history. He pursued this passion further at Emory University, earning a bachelor’s degree in history.
After completing four years in the U.S. Air Force, including two in England, he joined the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Historic Preservation Section in 1973. From 1978 to 2006, he served as Georgia’s official historian for the National Register of Historic Places, authoring or editing over 1,500 nominations and helping to secure federal historic preservation status for many landmark structures statewide.
His notable career achievements include organizing the landmark Architects and Builders in Georgia Collection, helping local county historians publish, spearheading state cemetery preservation projects, and conducting thorough research on Sapelo Island, which was eventually donated to the Georgia Archives as a lasting scholarly resource. Recognized as Georgia’s foremost expert on house history research, Thomas has delivered numerous lectures and advised Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Historical Society on historical markers across the state.
It’s Thomas’ profound impact on preserving our collective heritage that makes Thomas’ continued investment in Columbus State such a profound one, according to David Owings, director of the archives and associate dean of libraries
“For decades, Mr. Thomas’ passion for historic preservation—throughout Georgia, but especially in Columbus—has enriched how we teach our students and engage with our local and scholarly communities,” Owings said. “Like his lifetime commitment to historic preservation, his endowment will help ensure materials of enduring historic value are safeguarded, new opportunities for research and discovery are created, and countless individuals come to better appreciate the history of our region.”
Thomas’ scholarship has engaged millions of readers beyond the academic community. In 1977, his comprehensive genealogical research on Jimmy Carter drew the attention of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. This led to a weekly Sunday genealogy column that Thomas wrote for nearly 50 years (1977 to 2024), making it one of the longest-running public history features in American journalism. He has also authored two popular pictorial histories published by Arcadia Publishing: Columbus, Georgia, in Vintage Postcards (2001) and Fort Benning (2003).
A tireless champion of public access to historic records, Thomas co-chaired the Coalition to Preserve the Georgia Archives and led successful statewide advocacy campaigns to keep the state archives open and funded. He has served for decades on the boards of the Georgia Historical Society, the DeKalb History Center, the Wren’s Nest, the Friends of Georgia Archives & History, the Georgia Postcard Club, the Georgia Professional Genealogists, and the Columbus State Archives & Special Collections’ Board of Advisors.
In recognition of his peerless contributions, Thomas was named a Fellow of the Society of Georgia Archivists in 2009. His honors include the Governor’s Award in the Humanities (2003), the Sarah Turner Butler Heritage Award from the Historic Columbus Foundation (2008), the Georgia Historical Society’s John McPherson Berrien Lifetime Achievement Award (2013), and the Lifetime Achievement/Legacy Award from Historic Westville (2013).
Media contact: Michael Tullier, APR
