Our History
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The leadership for establishment of the Foundation in North America came from the late John K. (Jack) Evans who had begun his career sailing in ships exporting slate from Porthmadog and who ended up in a position of great influence in the US. oil industry. The Foundation was formally established in Washington DC in 1980 under John K. Evans’ Presidency with Howard Patrick as Secretary and Hywel Davies as Treasurer. At this time the Foundation included a number like minded individuals in Wales under the leadership of the late Sir William Crawshay. Subsequently the Foundation has functioned as a 501(c)3 charitable Foundation with separate Boards, working hand in hand, in Wales and North America. Originally known as the National Welsh-American Federation, we changed our name to North America Wales Foundation in 2017 to reflect growing participation in Canada.
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1980 - 1989
2/27/1980 - The foundation was incorporated and the articles of incorporation filed. “To provide an international cultural organization to operate between the United States and Wales.
Statement of Purpose:
The NWAF is dedicated to sharing Welsh-culture with other ethnic groups and to recognizing the contributions and achievements of Welsh-Americans. It encourages understanding and recognition of those values that are unique to the Welsh heritage. To that end, the Foundation is dedicated to:
1980-1982 - John K Evans is President*.
6/26/1980 - The IRS determined that the foundation is exempt from federal income tax on this date and confirmed on 5/24/1982.
1982-1983 - Emlyn I. Griffith, Esq. is President*.
1983-1984 - Dr. Islyn Thomas, OBE is President*.
1984-1985 - Wilfred O. Greenway is President*.
5/1/1986 - An amendment was filed authorizing the Foundation as a member organization. Dues were $15 for individual, $20 for family, $50 for sustaining, $100 for contributing, $250 for patron, $50 for organization and lifetime was 15 times the membership category.
1985-1987 - Dr. Arturo L. Roberts is President.
1987 - The NWAF Exchange Scholarship Program was established with the intent to provide young Welsh-Americans and Welsh students with assistance in pursuit of their college level education in the areas of Welsh language, history and culture.
1987 - The NWAF Heritage Medallion was established to recognize a Welsh-American for services to the Welsh-American community or whose prominence has brought credit to the Welsh-American community. General David C. Jones was awarded the first Heritage Medallion.
1988 - The first scholarships were awarded, Donna White of Minneapolis received $1000 to study at University College of Wales-Bangor, Welshman Alun Huw Thomas, received $5000 to study at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These first scholarships were made available through the generosity of then NWAF President Merlin J. Jenkins and NWAF founding Director and its first President John K. Evans.
1988 - John K. Evans is awarded the Heritage Medallion. These early Medallions were presented at the NWAF’s Annual Recognition Dinners held in cities on the east coast.
5/1988 - The first issue of the membership bulletin was published, with Col. Alfred Reese originator and editor. In July the name Eagle & Dragon was selected.
1987-1989 - Merlyn J. Jenkins is President. The NWAF Book Search Project is organized which saves materials that might otherwise be lost over time, and share with the National Library of Wales. There are now 1000 members on the roster and Elsie M. Deobold is recognized as the 1000th.
1989 - T. Elwyn Griffiths is awarded the Heritage Medallion.
1989-1991 - Col. Alfred J. Reese, Jr. is President*
*Deceased
2/27/1980 - The foundation was incorporated and the articles of incorporation filed. “To provide an international cultural organization to operate between the United States and Wales.
Statement of Purpose:
The NWAF is dedicated to sharing Welsh-culture with other ethnic groups and to recognizing the contributions and achievements of Welsh-Americans. It encourages understanding and recognition of those values that are unique to the Welsh heritage. To that end, the Foundation is dedicated to:
- Promote and share the history and cultural heritage of Welsh-Americans;
- Coordinate the activities of Welsh-Americans in all cultural and educational activities;
- Encourage an exchange of artists and scholars between Wales and the United States so as to share the Welsh language, music and culture with the World;
- Provide financial assistance through scholarships, fellowships and study grants to eisteddfodau, Welsh festivals, traveling museums, exhibits and choral groups;
- Provide a unified, effective voice for Welsh-Americans in all aspects of American society;
- Support Welsh-American groups in their relations with corporate, philanthropic and governmental organizations in the United States and Wales.
1980-1982 - John K Evans is President*.
6/26/1980 - The IRS determined that the foundation is exempt from federal income tax on this date and confirmed on 5/24/1982.
1982-1983 - Emlyn I. Griffith, Esq. is President*.
1983-1984 - Dr. Islyn Thomas, OBE is President*.
1984-1985 - Wilfred O. Greenway is President*.
5/1/1986 - An amendment was filed authorizing the Foundation as a member organization. Dues were $15 for individual, $20 for family, $50 for sustaining, $100 for contributing, $250 for patron, $50 for organization and lifetime was 15 times the membership category.
1985-1987 - Dr. Arturo L. Roberts is President.
1987 - The NWAF Exchange Scholarship Program was established with the intent to provide young Welsh-Americans and Welsh students with assistance in pursuit of their college level education in the areas of Welsh language, history and culture.
1987 - The NWAF Heritage Medallion was established to recognize a Welsh-American for services to the Welsh-American community or whose prominence has brought credit to the Welsh-American community. General David C. Jones was awarded the first Heritage Medallion.
1988 - The first scholarships were awarded, Donna White of Minneapolis received $1000 to study at University College of Wales-Bangor, Welshman Alun Huw Thomas, received $5000 to study at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These first scholarships were made available through the generosity of then NWAF President Merlin J. Jenkins and NWAF founding Director and its first President John K. Evans.
1988 - John K. Evans is awarded the Heritage Medallion. These early Medallions were presented at the NWAF’s Annual Recognition Dinners held in cities on the east coast.
5/1988 - The first issue of the membership bulletin was published, with Col. Alfred Reese originator and editor. In July the name Eagle & Dragon was selected.
1987-1989 - Merlyn J. Jenkins is President. The NWAF Book Search Project is organized which saves materials that might otherwise be lost over time, and share with the National Library of Wales. There are now 1000 members on the roster and Elsie M. Deobold is recognized as the 1000th.
1989 - T. Elwyn Griffiths is awarded the Heritage Medallion.
1989-1991 - Col. Alfred J. Reese, Jr. is President*
*Deceased
1990 - 1999
1990 - Howard Stringer is awarded the Heritage Medallion. NWAF celebrated 10 years of service with a report on goals accomplished in their newsletter.
1991-1992 - William F, Griffiths is President. On 11/2/1990 Governor Casey appointed Bill the new Welsh Commissioner of Pennsylvania. The E&D also announces the formation of the Welsh-American genealogical Society in Poultney, VT.
1991 - Dr. Edward Hartman is awarded the Heritage Medallion. Founding Director of NWAF, John K. Evans, passed away on March 10th in Houston, TX. He worked tirelessly to raise awareness of Welsh culture. Also in 1991, NWAF established the Endowment Fund to support the Exchange Scholarship Fund. It is permanently invested and the proceeds only used for scholarships.
1991 - Interviews were recorded at the 60th National Gymanfa Ganu in Cincinnati with the idea of producing a 15 minute informational video on the Foundation.
1992-1994 - Olwen Joyce is the first woman President of the Foundation.
1992 - Dr. Ellis W. Roberts (Post)/Dr. Islyn Thomas OBE awarded the Heritage Medallion.
1993 - Myra Thomas Lawrence is awarded the Heritage Medallion.
4/1993-Due to the growth of NWAF, the administrative offices have moved to a building purchased by Jack Pritchard in Trucksville, PA. It was staffed by Elsie Deobold and Betty Handley Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons. Phone number is (717) 696-nwaf.
1993- In July, President Anderson led a delegation of 19 NWAF Directors and guests to Llanberis, North Wales, to participate with Directors in Wales in honoring Thomas Jefferson other signers of the Declaration of Independence who were of Welsh descent. A bi-lingual slate plaque was unveiled near the ancestral home of Thomas Jefferson.
While in Wales, Alf Reese met with the owners of Pen y Bryn for an update on the project near the village of Aber, believed to have been the medieval court of Llewelyn, the last true Prince of Wales. The E&D states that the Foundation continues to support this project and will hold donations in escrow until the ultimate future of the Palace at Aber is determined.
10/29/1993-The Annual Recognition Dinner was held in Charlottesville, VA along with the dedication of a nursery garden at Monticello. The nursery restoration was made was made possible with a $5000 grant from the foundation. Myra Thomas Lawrence is awarded the Heritage Medallion at the recognition dinner.
1994-1996-Jack A. Pritchard is incoming President held at the 15th annual meeting in May, after serving 11 years as Treasurer of the Foundation. He was also awarded the Robert Morris Award at the 266th Annual Reception and Dinner of the Welsh Society of Philadelphia. Nelson L. Llewellyn is awarded the Heritage Medallion in 1994 at the Recognition Dinner held near Youngstown, OH. The by-laws were amended to provide for a Recording Secretary and designating the President of the Welsh Gymanfa Ganu Association as Honorary Vice President –Ex Officio rather than an Ex-Officio Director.
In May, Warren Watkins is announced as a new NWAF Director, along with Russell Williams.
In July, the NWAF announced the publication of Dr. Edward G. Hartman’s A Classified Bibliography of Welsh Americana in two parts.
New grants procedures were announced, for grants to individuals be awarded through a Welsh-American organization or similar non-profit group.
In September, the NWAF memorialized the Avondale Mine Disaster and Washburn Street Cemetery by placing an historical markers at each site.
Dr. Roderick Owen and Megan Lloyd announced the call for papers for the first Annual Conference on Welsh Studies to be held June 1-2, 1995 on the campus of Rio Grande College in Rio Grande, OH. The NWAF grants $2000 in support of this event.
1994 - Nelson L. Llewellyn is awarded the Heritage Medallion.
1995- The E&D has a smaller size, now being printed on letter size paper rather than legal size. There are now photos in the newsletter. Editor Alf Reese stresses the need for increased membership, which is currently 1,233. NWAF is celebrating its’ 15th year and continues to grow. Col. Alfred J. Reese, Jr. is awarded the Heritage Medallion at the banquet where Dafydd Wigley was the guest speaker.
Alf Reese gave an update on his attendance at the 1st Conference of Welsh Studies at Rio Grande College in Ohio. John Davies gave the keynote address and Alf felt this conference was the most significant occurrence in the Welsh-American community in the last 50 years. He and his wife also visited the Welsh-American Heritage Museum in nearly Oak Hill, OH. The October E&D gave notices on the passing of Edward J. Davies and Dr. Edward G. Hartman, both officers of the Foundation.
1995 - Col. Alfred J. Reese, Jr. is awarded the Heritage Medallion.
1996 - Dr. David & Joan Owen Mandry are awarded the Heritage Medallion.
1996-1997 - James A. Martin, III, Esq. is President.
1997 - Emlyn I Griffith is awarded the Heritage Medallion.
1997-1999 - Thomas W. Gable is President*.
1999-2001 - Dr. William John (Jack) Lewis*
*Deceased
1990 - Howard Stringer is awarded the Heritage Medallion. NWAF celebrated 10 years of service with a report on goals accomplished in their newsletter.
1991-1992 - William F, Griffiths is President. On 11/2/1990 Governor Casey appointed Bill the new Welsh Commissioner of Pennsylvania. The E&D also announces the formation of the Welsh-American genealogical Society in Poultney, VT.
1991 - Dr. Edward Hartman is awarded the Heritage Medallion. Founding Director of NWAF, John K. Evans, passed away on March 10th in Houston, TX. He worked tirelessly to raise awareness of Welsh culture. Also in 1991, NWAF established the Endowment Fund to support the Exchange Scholarship Fund. It is permanently invested and the proceeds only used for scholarships.
1991 - Interviews were recorded at the 60th National Gymanfa Ganu in Cincinnati with the idea of producing a 15 minute informational video on the Foundation.
1992-1994 - Olwen Joyce is the first woman President of the Foundation.
1992 - Dr. Ellis W. Roberts (Post)/Dr. Islyn Thomas OBE awarded the Heritage Medallion.
1993 - Myra Thomas Lawrence is awarded the Heritage Medallion.
4/1993-Due to the growth of NWAF, the administrative offices have moved to a building purchased by Jack Pritchard in Trucksville, PA. It was staffed by Elsie Deobold and Betty Handley Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons. Phone number is (717) 696-nwaf.
1993- In July, President Anderson led a delegation of 19 NWAF Directors and guests to Llanberis, North Wales, to participate with Directors in Wales in honoring Thomas Jefferson other signers of the Declaration of Independence who were of Welsh descent. A bi-lingual slate plaque was unveiled near the ancestral home of Thomas Jefferson.
While in Wales, Alf Reese met with the owners of Pen y Bryn for an update on the project near the village of Aber, believed to have been the medieval court of Llewelyn, the last true Prince of Wales. The E&D states that the Foundation continues to support this project and will hold donations in escrow until the ultimate future of the Palace at Aber is determined.
10/29/1993-The Annual Recognition Dinner was held in Charlottesville, VA along with the dedication of a nursery garden at Monticello. The nursery restoration was made was made possible with a $5000 grant from the foundation. Myra Thomas Lawrence is awarded the Heritage Medallion at the recognition dinner.
1994-1996-Jack A. Pritchard is incoming President held at the 15th annual meeting in May, after serving 11 years as Treasurer of the Foundation. He was also awarded the Robert Morris Award at the 266th Annual Reception and Dinner of the Welsh Society of Philadelphia. Nelson L. Llewellyn is awarded the Heritage Medallion in 1994 at the Recognition Dinner held near Youngstown, OH. The by-laws were amended to provide for a Recording Secretary and designating the President of the Welsh Gymanfa Ganu Association as Honorary Vice President –Ex Officio rather than an Ex-Officio Director.
In May, Warren Watkins is announced as a new NWAF Director, along with Russell Williams.
In July, the NWAF announced the publication of Dr. Edward G. Hartman’s A Classified Bibliography of Welsh Americana in two parts.
New grants procedures were announced, for grants to individuals be awarded through a Welsh-American organization or similar non-profit group.
In September, the NWAF memorialized the Avondale Mine Disaster and Washburn Street Cemetery by placing an historical markers at each site.
Dr. Roderick Owen and Megan Lloyd announced the call for papers for the first Annual Conference on Welsh Studies to be held June 1-2, 1995 on the campus of Rio Grande College in Rio Grande, OH. The NWAF grants $2000 in support of this event.
1994 - Nelson L. Llewellyn is awarded the Heritage Medallion.
1995- The E&D has a smaller size, now being printed on letter size paper rather than legal size. There are now photos in the newsletter. Editor Alf Reese stresses the need for increased membership, which is currently 1,233. NWAF is celebrating its’ 15th year and continues to grow. Col. Alfred J. Reese, Jr. is awarded the Heritage Medallion at the banquet where Dafydd Wigley was the guest speaker.
Alf Reese gave an update on his attendance at the 1st Conference of Welsh Studies at Rio Grande College in Ohio. John Davies gave the keynote address and Alf felt this conference was the most significant occurrence in the Welsh-American community in the last 50 years. He and his wife also visited the Welsh-American Heritage Museum in nearly Oak Hill, OH. The October E&D gave notices on the passing of Edward J. Davies and Dr. Edward G. Hartman, both officers of the Foundation.
1995 - Col. Alfred J. Reese, Jr. is awarded the Heritage Medallion.
1996 - Dr. David & Joan Owen Mandry are awarded the Heritage Medallion.
1996-1997 - James A. Martin, III, Esq. is President.
1997 - Emlyn I Griffith is awarded the Heritage Medallion.
1997-1999 - Thomas W. Gable is President*.
1999-2001 - Dr. William John (Jack) Lewis*
*Deceased
2000 - 2009
2001-2003 - Russell Williams*
2003-2005 - -Olwen Joyce Anderson
2005-2007 - Philip Davies
2007-2009 - James W. Thomas
2001-2003 - Russell Williams*
2003-2005 - -Olwen Joyce Anderson
2005-2007 - Philip Davies
2007-2009 - James W. Thomas
2010 - 2019
2009-2011 - John Jones Reinhart
2011-2013 - Carole Kirby Trojahn
2013-2014 - Bryan Williams
2014-2018 - Rev Dr Stacy Evans
2018 - current President - Philip Davies
2009-2011 - John Jones Reinhart
2011-2013 - Carole Kirby Trojahn
2013-2014 - Bryan Williams
2014-2018 - Rev Dr Stacy Evans
2018 - current President - Philip Davies
2020 -