For years I have been searching for my Welsh Ancestors with very little success. the Heritage project has connected me to the detailed Obit for my Great Great grandfather (David T. Evans) and enabled me to add priceless historic facts about he and his family.Many Many thanks Oliver Evans, Roswell, Ga.
I have particularly enjoyed some of the wonderful activities hosted by GPWHP over the year. The Welsh Heritage Festival in October attracted visitors from all over the country, with professional quality music and historical presentations. Other events have highlighted talent and resources from the Nebraska area, including a student Harpist performing Welsh love tunes. The Welsh Heritage Centre in Wymore, NE continues to offer a tremendous opportunity to mark the contributions of the local Welsh community.
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A wealth of cultural and family history is often lost without the dedicated work of organizations like the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Project. Dedicated volunteers commit countless hours to the painstaking preservation of historic records and memorabilia. But this rich history comes alive in many Welsh celebrations and community activities held by the Welsh Heritage Centre in Wymore, NE. These wonderful events draw people from far and wide, and join neighbors around a shared history... even those not of Welsh descent. This is a well-managed and creative program in our community.
I have been greatly impressed by the energy, enthusiasm, innovation, and attention to detail that has characterized the development of this multifaceted resource. These qualities are a reflection of its outstanding leadership team that includes two people who had a similar impact on the Welsh Society of Western New England, where I am active as board member and webmaster. Berwyn E. Jones (president; grants writer, and researcher) and Martha Davies (secretary; Welsh translator, researcher, and columnist) have kept me informed of their vision for new initiatives and have frequently sought ideas and support of their grant funded projects. Thus, even though I have not had the opportunity to travel there from my home in Massachusetts, I have come to greatly admire what the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Project has achieved in its mission to discover, preserve, interpret and celebrate the history of Welsh immigrants on the prairies of North America.
This is a group I have been privileged to work with for a few years, now. The are all top notch, work hard and focus on the common goal to produce a level of work product that should be envied by other non-profits. Doing long range planning and checking on accomplishments of established goals keep a unified and steady path to achieve them.
The Welsh-American community recognized their accomplishments when the National Welsh American Foundation awarded 2 of the Board members with the NWAF Heritage Medallion in 2010.
The memorial path in the garden attests to the honor bestowed on the Welsh ancestors of Welsh-Americans.
What a great place! It is so nice to have places in the community that can teach us about our history. There was a Welsh immigrant community in Wymore, Nebraska years ago and many of the residents of the area have roots in Wales. This museum reminds us of our history. Some even learn about their own family histories here! There are many exhibits of interest to children, this would be a perfect place for a family, school, or Scout field trip. There is a little movie theatre as well. Places that we can go to learn about our own or our community's history are few and far between, this place is a gem!
Great Plains Welsh Heritage Project brings together people and resources. It's for those who wish to investigate their Welsh roots and connect with present-day Wales. It is a model for community enrichment at all levels -- local, regional, national and international. Proud to be a supporter from Ohio. See you on Madog Day!!
Shirley
The Great Plains Welsh Heritage Project hosts a biennial festival where folks from around the country come together to celebrate our Welsh Heritage. We participate in traditional Welsh activities, singing and dancing. We have guest speakers who relate tales of Welsh settlers and Welsh culture. Our 4th Welsh Heritage Festival will be held Oct 7-10, 2011 and we hope to see you there!
The Great Plains Welsh Heritage Project invites you to view (24/7/365) its 80 foot exterior mural--"From the Mountains of Wales to the Prairies of North America." Make arrangements to come inside to enjoy Welsh films and Welsh music, our library and archives, and have a chat and a cup of tea. We offer help in tracing your Welsh-American family and we do translations from Welsh to English. Everyone is welcome.
I was fortunate enough to become involved with GPWHP from the onset. At that time I became a board member, volunteer and anything else I could do to further this group. Also at that time I was the mayor of Wymore. I not only realized what this group could do to further Welsh heritage but the great economic value it would be for Wymore, as well as, Gage County and SE Nebraska. Since its inception there has been nothing but volunteers who have very worked hard, truly care about perserving heritage, the community in which their museums and operations are based and retain a positive, forward thinking attitude to take this non-profit into the future. The volunteers put in many many hours to make sure they follow their mission statement and are above board in its operation. I have since moved from my hometown of Wymore to Washington state. I am currently on the Advisory Board which I am thankful for. I know from personal experience how this organization has brought very positive outcomes to a community that is struggling. They are the shining star in the City of Wymore. They have done a lot with a little and is an organization that other non-profits could gleem from. I could really go on and on but would be redundent in stating how wonderful the GPWHP. Keep on Keepin' On GPWHP
