Warren Thomas Museum, Hickman (Fulton Co.) Ky.
The first black church, in Hickman, Fulton County, KY, was organized in 1867, by a group of newly freed slaves. These men were Warren Thomas, the leader and organizer, Cato Thomas, Valentine Matson, Samuel Tyler, Henry Clark . The group signed a promissory note for $242.99 to purchase the church site from the East Hickman Operation, a local land development company owned by whites. Blacks were now receiving pay for their labor. However, in 1867 the Freedmen’s Bureau, under the auspices of the federal government, paid the balance due making Thomas Chapel the rightful owner of the church site. The church officially opened in 1869. The very first educational classes for blacks were held in the basement in 1870. The building was destroyed by fire in 1874. A temporary building was erected in 1880 but it would be 21 years (1898) before a permanent structure was erected. This 1898 building, pictured above, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It now houses the Warren Thomas Black History Museum, operated by the Warren Thomas Historical Society.
A yellow fever epidemic began in August and ended in November 1878. There were 462 cases of which 150 people died. Much of Hickman’s population fled the town leaving it practically deserted. Blacks in the community, organized by Warren and Sallie Thomas, volunteered to aid in policing the town and looked after the property of all Hickman’s citizens during their absence. Blacks also nursed the sick and dug graves. Of the persons who contracted the disease, 50% of the whites and 9% of the blacks died. (Exhibit write-up by Eric W. Brockwell, June 12, 1993, Warren Thomas Museum). Capt. H. A. Tyler specifically thanked the “colored” citizens for their efforts. (Hickman Courier, Friday, November 15, 1878, as stated in the Fulton County 74-76 Bicentennial Souvenir Book)
Rufus Atwood, President of Kentucky State University for 38 years, attended church and school here. His homeplace can be seen to the right of the church building in the picture above.
The Museum is open on demand. For more information, please contact Jeannette Dean, Chairperson, Warren Thomas Historic Society, 603 Moulton Street, Hickman, Kentucky 42050
The Warren Thomas Historic Society is recognized as a tax-exempt organization by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. All donations are tax-deductible.
