'What a day!' — ceremonies celebrate old house, new park
Scellicks lauded for "Nat House" preservation, autism/history park creation.
Updated
Owners Mike and Sharon Scellick, members of the Nat Washington family, and historical society representatives took part in a special Oct. 24 recognition of the landmark home in downtown Ephrata. Photos by Randy Bracht
EPHRATA — Something old and something new were both celebrated on a special day last month in Ephrata.
The “old” involved the century-old Nat Washington House and a family heritage dating back to America’s founding fathers. Current owners Mike and Sharon Scellick were lauded for their preservation efforts of the landmark home during a ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Later that day, just a few blocks away, the “new” featured an unveiling of the Grant County Autism & Historical Park, another community project spearheaded by Mike Scellick that linked the Washington family to development of Grand Coulee Dam, the Columbia Basin’s vast irrigation system, and early childhood education in Grant County.
“What a day, huh?” Scellick quipped at the conclusion of the two events.
The U.S. Postal Service approved issuance of a "first-day stamp" pictorial postmark (above) featuring a depiction of the Nat Washington House along with commemoration of America's 250th anniversary. Below, a book about the "Washingtons in Washington" was written by Rae Anna Victor, a featured presenter at last month's gathering, with Mike Scellick and Tim Washington.
Located across from the Grant County Courthouse, ownership of the house on C Street N.W. dates back to 1925 and Nathaniel W. Washington Sr., a third great-grandson of Augustine Washington, brother of Founding Father and first U.S. President George Washington.
Family members moved out West to the Grand Coulee area in the early 1900s, and Nat Sr. and wife Gladys later settled in Ephrata. Nat Sr. and his son, Nat Jr., both went on to serve as Grant County prosecuting attorneys, were involved in Democratic politics, and supported hydropower and irrigation development in the Columbia Basin.
Nat Jr., his sisters and his mother continued to live in the home after his father, an aunt, and an uncle were swept away in a drowning accident on the Columbia River in 1926. The younger Washington, then 12, went on to become an attorney, Army officer, longtime state legislator, state Fish and Wildlife commissioner, and respected amateur archaeologist. Nat, who passed away in 2007 at age 93, and his wife Wanda also raised their two sons, Nathaniel and Tom, in the home.
The Scellicks purchased the property in 2010 and have since made it available for a variety of community functions. Mike Scellick describes the Nat House as “a museum” that contains a trove of artifacts, documents, and memorabilia about the Washingtons’ decades of public service, political involvement, and colonial family history dating back to the 1600s, much of which he has shared with organizations and documentarians across the nation.
A few years ago, it came to the attention of Rae Anna Victor of Spokane, a regent with a chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. During the Oct. 24 event, Victor said the DAR chapter has since enjoyed “a wonderful partnership with (the Scellicks)” and their “time, love, and dedication” in preserving the property.
The chapter assisted in getting the house placed on the Washington State Register of Historic Places and, more recently, recognition from the esteemed William G. Pomeroy Foundation. A private philanthropy based in New York, the foundation has fully funded grants for more than 2,800 plaques and historical markers — typically costing between $2,500 and $3,000 to produce —in 49 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
Following Ephrata mayor Steve Oliver’s reading of a commemorative city proclamation, the Scellicks unveiled the Pomeroy marker before an appreciative crowd of local residents, members of the Washington family, and representatives — some dressed in colonial-era finery — from the DAR, Sons of the American Revolution, and Daughters of the American Colonists.
Sharon and Mike Scellick unveiled a historical marker funded by the New York-based William G. Pomeroy Foundation. Below, a third-generation Nat Washington reflects on the home he grew up in — and the legacy of his father and grandfather.
The marker “is gorgeous,” said Mike Scellick, who thanked Victor for her work and persistence in helping the Nat House gain such recognition. “She’s an amazing woman,” he said.
Shirley Stirling of Lacey, state regent of the Daughters of the American Colonists, also presented a National Medal of Award to Scellick in “deep appreciation” for preserving the Nat House and artifacts, capturing its history, honoring the Washington family, and sharing with the community.
Also addressing the crowd was the third-generation Nat Washington, who said he and brother Tom — both now living in western Washington —did not fully understand or appreciate as kids the significance of their home or their parents’ diverse involvements. “This house really is a remarkable place,” said Washington, noting it had hosted numerous policy makers, legislators, international visitors, and “many Christian meetings” during their childhood.
He described father Nat Jr. as “a man of great conscience” whose Christian faith helped him “deal with all kinds of difficult situations.”
Mike Scellick received an award, and a hug, from Shirley Stirling, state regent for the Daughters of the American Colonists. Scellick also thanked Rae Anna Victor (right) and a Spokane chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for their efforts in gaining recognition for the Nat House and legacy of the Washington family.
Ephrata postmaster Jeff Miller was on hand with Richard Crooks of Kent, a member of the Evergreen Stamp Club, who designed a postmark depicting the house. A unique keepsake, it was approved by the U.S. Postal Service for issuance of a “first day” commemorative envelope, called a cover, that also featured a postage stamp and special artwork to record the date and place of the event.
The proceedings were filmed by PBS-affiliate KSPS of Spokane and scheduled to be aired as part of a documentary segment on the station’s “Northwest Profiles” in late November.
Afterward, Scellick turned to the “new” and his most-recent civic venture — expansion of the Autism Society of Grant County’s Beezley Trailhead at the intersection of Cyrus Road and First Avenue N.W., near the Bureau of Reclamation’s West Canal.
“This is about the water, from Grand Coulee to this creek,” said Scellick, pointing to the adjacent stream bed which still carries runoff from Sagebrush Flats down toward Ephrata.
The small “pocket park” features a rock-lined walking path, incorporates native plants, a commemorative bench, water fountain, mini-libraries, and sign boards recounting early local history. There are stories of springtime floods, summer swimming and winter ice skating, a train visit carrying the nation’s iconic Liberty Bell, the location of Camp Tuc-Ta-Hyaspum where Sinkiuse tribal members came to harvest camas root, and a remembrance of Gladys Fuller Washington.
The widowed wife of Nat Washington Sr., Gladys was a teacher and became Grant County’s first elected school superintendent following her husband’s death in 1926. She later remarried and continued to work in student education, tutoring, and remedial reading programs for decades afterward.
As a reading tutor, Nat Washington said his grandmother had “such love” for the children she helped. “So this space is really appropriate,” he said. “It’s really sweet.”
The park was a collaborative project involving the City of Ephrata, Grant County Historical Society, Columbia Basin Conservation District, Tommer Construction, Ephrata Garden Club, local builder Don Bean, bench sponsors Ron and Kathy Berschauer, Janet Nelson for the kiosk information, and other volunteers.
The new Grant County Autism & Historical Park was also dedicated last month. It features historical kiosks, a variety of native plants, two "mini libraries," a commemorative bench, and water fountain along a short walking path at the Autism Society of Grant County's Beezley Trailhead.
We use cookies to keep GCJ.news working and, with your consent, to understand how our community uses the site. We use this data only internally to run and improve the site — we never sell your personal information. See our cookie & privacy policy.
'What a day!' — ceremonies celebrate old house, new park
Scellicks lauded for "Nat House" preservation, autism/history park creation.
EPHRATA — Something old and something new were both celebrated on a special day last month in Ephrata.
The “old” involved the century-old Nat Washington House and a family heritage dating back to America’s founding fathers. Current owners Mike and Sharon Scellick were lauded for their preservation efforts of the landmark home during a ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Later that day, just a few blocks away, the “new” featured an unveiling of the Grant County Autism & Historical Park, another community project spearheaded by Mike Scellick that linked the Washington family to development of Grand Coulee Dam, the Columbia Basin’s vast irrigation system, and early childhood education in Grant County.
“What a day, huh?” Scellick quipped at the conclusion of the two events.
Located across from the Grant County Courthouse, ownership of the house on C Street N.W. dates back to 1925 and Nathaniel W. Washington Sr., a third great-grandson of Augustine Washington, brother of Founding Father and first U.S. President George Washington.
Family members moved out West to the Grand Coulee area in the early 1900s, and Nat Sr. and wife Gladys later settled in Ephrata. Nat Sr. and his son, Nat Jr., both went on to serve as Grant County prosecuting attorneys, were involved in Democratic politics, and supported hydropower and irrigation development in the Columbia Basin.
Nat Jr., his sisters and his mother continued to live in the home after his father, an aunt, and an uncle were swept away in a drowning accident on the Columbia River in 1926. The younger Washington, then 12, went on to become an attorney, Army officer, longtime state legislator, state Fish and Wildlife commissioner, and respected amateur archaeologist. Nat, who passed away in 2007 at age 93, and his wife Wanda also raised their two sons, Nathaniel and Tom, in the home.
The Scellicks purchased the property in 2010 and have since made it available for a variety of community functions. Mike Scellick describes the Nat House as “a museum” that contains a trove of artifacts, documents, and memorabilia about the Washingtons’ decades of public service, political involvement, and colonial family history dating back to the 1600s, much of which he has shared with organizations and documentarians across the nation.
A few years ago, it came to the attention of Rae Anna Victor of Spokane, a regent with a chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. During the Oct. 24 event, Victor said the DAR chapter has since enjoyed “a wonderful partnership with (the Scellicks)” and their “time, love, and dedication” in preserving the property.
The chapter assisted in getting the house placed on the Washington State Register of Historic Places and, more recently, recognition from the esteemed William G. Pomeroy Foundation. A private philanthropy based in New York, the foundation has fully funded grants for more than 2,800 plaques and historical markers — typically costing between $2,500 and $3,000 to produce —in 49 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
Following Ephrata mayor Steve Oliver’s reading of a commemorative city proclamation, the Scellicks unveiled the Pomeroy marker before an appreciative crowd of local residents, members of the Washington family, and representatives — some dressed in colonial-era finery — from the DAR, Sons of the American Revolution, and Daughters of the American Colonists.
The marker “is gorgeous,” said Mike Scellick, who thanked Victor for her work and persistence in helping the Nat House gain such recognition. “She’s an amazing woman,” he said.
Shirley Stirling of Lacey, state regent of the Daughters of the American Colonists, also presented a National Medal of Award to Scellick in “deep appreciation” for preserving the Nat House and artifacts, capturing its history, honoring the Washington family, and sharing with the community.
Also addressing the crowd was the third-generation Nat Washington, who said he and brother Tom — both now living in western Washington —did not fully understand or appreciate as kids the significance of their home or their parents’ diverse involvements. “This house really is a remarkable place,” said Washington, noting it had hosted numerous policy makers, legislators, international visitors, and “many Christian meetings” during their childhood.
He described father Nat Jr. as “a man of great conscience” whose Christian faith helped him “deal with all kinds of difficult situations.”
Ephrata postmaster Jeff Miller was on hand with Richard Crooks of Kent, a member of the Evergreen Stamp Club, who designed a postmark depicting the house. A unique keepsake, it was approved by the U.S. Postal Service for issuance of a “first day” commemorative envelope, called a cover, that also featured a postage stamp and special artwork to record the date and place of the event.
The proceedings were filmed by PBS-affiliate KSPS of Spokane and scheduled to be aired as part of a documentary segment on the station’s “Northwest Profiles” in late November.
Afterward, Scellick turned to the “new” and his most-recent civic venture — expansion of the Autism Society of Grant County’s Beezley Trailhead at the intersection of Cyrus Road and First Avenue N.W., near the Bureau of Reclamation’s West Canal.
“This is about the water, from Grand Coulee to this creek,” said Scellick, pointing to the adjacent stream bed which still carries runoff from Sagebrush Flats down toward Ephrata.
The small “pocket park” features a rock-lined walking path, incorporates native plants, a commemorative bench, water fountain, mini-libraries, and sign boards recounting early local history. There are stories of springtime floods, summer swimming and winter ice skating, a train visit carrying the nation’s iconic Liberty Bell, the location of Camp Tuc-Ta-Hyaspum where Sinkiuse tribal members came to harvest camas root, and a remembrance of Gladys Fuller Washington.
The widowed wife of Nat Washington Sr., Gladys was a teacher and became Grant County’s first elected school superintendent following her husband’s death in 1926. She later remarried and continued to work in student education, tutoring, and remedial reading programs for decades afterward.
As a reading tutor, Nat Washington said his grandmother had “such love” for the children she helped. “So this space is really appropriate,” he said. “It’s really sweet.”
The park was a collaborative project involving the City of Ephrata, Grant County Historical Society, Columbia Basin Conservation District, Tommer Construction, Ephrata Garden Club, local builder Don Bean, bench sponsors Ron and Kathy Berschauer, Janet Nelson for the kiosk information, and other volunteers.