SEATTLE – Dick Watts has been named the 2010 Humanities Washington Award recipient for his commitment to and advocacy for Roslyn’s historic cemeteries. The Humanities Washington Award is presented annually to an individual and/or organization whose time and talents enlarge the meaning of the humanities and have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the public humanities in Washington State.

Watts will be honored at a reception from 5:30-7:00 pm on Thursday, June 3 at Big Bend Community College (Masto Conference Center A/B) in Moses Lake. In addition to recognition at the reception, Watts also has the opportunity to direct a $1000 grant award to the humanities project of his choice. Watts will direct his monetary award to the Roslyn Cemetery Commission via the Roslyn Cemetery Beneficial Association.

Through his work, Watts has ignited new community interest and commitment to preserving Roslyn’s historic cemeteries, the largest grouping of old city, ethnic, and fraternal lodge cemeteries in the Northwest with gravesites dating back to the mid-1800s. More than 25 ethnicities and nationalities are represented in these cemeteries, a visible reminder of the diverse cultural mix of settlers who lived and worked in the area as unskilled laborers in Roslyn’s coal mines.

In his nomination, Lea Beardsley noted that Watts has shown imaginative leadership and has been an inspiration, a driving force, and a workhorse in maintaining and generating interest in Roslyn’s historic cemeteries. Watts assumed (volunteer) caretaking responsibility of the Slovak Cemetery when his father-in-law passed away, and there was no turning back. He trimmed, mowed and repaired the Slovak Cemetery until it was shipshape.

Watts wet his feet as a member of Roslyn’s Cemetery Commission and became chairman of the group in 2008. Since that time he has organized work parties, spearheaded a $16,000 parking lot upgrade that was completed ahead of schedule (convincing locals to donate much of the necessary equipment, labor and materials), and has motivated countless others to roll up their sleeves to protect this cultural gem. 

In addition to many hours of clearing brush and other manual labor, Watts strengthened the Commission by working with others to draft a mission statement that highlights the cultural significance of the cemetery. He works tirelessly to promote the importance of the cemetery to others outside of the Roslyn area and has spearheaded collection of archived materials so the history of the cemeteries is more complete.

A group of community leaders cite Watts’ vision as the inspiration behind establishment of Roslyn Cemetery Beneficial Association (RCBA), a nonprofit support group for the Cemetery. For the future there is talk of establishing regular ethnic events that celebrate the cultural heritage evident in the Cemetery.

The Humanities Washington Award is given each year in honor of the late Heather C. Frank of Yakima, who was a longtime supporter of the humanities in Washington State.

The 2010 Humanities Washington Award recipient was chosen by a committee of cultural and civic leaders from the Central Washington area chaired by John Baule of the Yakima Valley Museum and Ann Golden of the Moses Lake Museum and Art Center. The committee selected Watts from a pool of Central Washington nominees hailing from Chelan, Kittitas, Grant, Benton, Franklin, Yakima and Klickitat Counties.

The Humanities Washington board of trustees chooses a different area of the state on which to focus its recognition efforts each year. In 2009, The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture and educator Donivan Johnson were chosen from a pool of Northeastern Washington nominees.

ABOUT HUMANITIES WASHINGTON
Humanities Washington is a statewide organization dedicated to improving life for individuals and their communities through interdisciplinary cultural education programs that nurture creativity, promote dialogue and spark critical thinking.

Humanities Washington’s programs include Motheread, a family literacy program; Inquiring Minds, a speakers’ bureau featuring dynamic presenters on a broad array of humanities topics; an Exhibits program which brings Smithsonian exhibitions to small rural and suburban museums; and grants to support grassroots humanities projects in Washington State. For more information on Humanities Washington visit http://www.humanities.org.