Nat Washington House Earns National Recognition

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  The Nat Washington House in Ephrata has been approved for a William G. Pomeroy Foundation Hometown Heritage Marker“The Nat Washington House has been approved for a William G. Pomeroy Foundation Hometown Heritage Marker, making it one of few sites in Washington state to receive the distinction.”
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  The Nat Washington House is one of few sites in Washington state to receive the distinction“The Nat Washington House has been approved for a William G. Pomeroy Foundation Hometown Heritage Marker, making it one of few sites in Washington state to receive the distinction.”
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  The marker, funded by the New York-based foundation, will be unveiled during a public dedication ceremony in October“The marker, funded by the New York-based foundation, is currently being manufactured and is expected to be unveiled during a public dedication ceremony in October.”
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  The house belonged to Nathaniel "Nat" Washington Jr.“The home belonged to the family of Nathaniel "Nat" Washington Jr., a state senator and longtime Columbia Basin advocate whose roots trace back to the family of President George Washington.”
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  Nathaniel "Nat" Washington Jr. was a state senator and Columbia Basin advocate“The home belonged to the family of Nathaniel "Nat" Washington Jr., a state senator and longtime Columbia Basin advocate whose roots trace back to the family of President George Washington.”
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  Nathaniel "Nat" Washington Jr.'s family descended from George Washington's brother“The Washingtons who settled in Grant County descended from John Augustine Washington, George Washington's brother.”
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  Supporters say the recognition highlights the Washington family's role in promoting irrigation projects“According to Rae Anna Victor, regent of the Jonas Babcock Chapter of the DAR, the project grew from an effort to educate Washington residents about those family connections. "We found it fascinating that we have descendants of George Washington's family here in Washington state, and a minuscule amount of people even know that," Victor said. "The fact that we had them buried in Almira and living in Ephrata for nearly a century, we thought something had to be done to bring this story to prominence." The house preserves the story of several generations of the Washington family whose contributions helped shape the Columbia Basin. Among them was Nat Washington Sr., who played a major role in promoting what eventually became Grand Coulee Dam. According to Victor, Washington was among the earliest advocates for large-scale irrigation projects that would transform Central Washington agriculture. "It was Nat Washington who first brought it to the attention of (President Franklin) Roosevelt," Victor said. "The things (Nat Washington) did were for the whole state, but really focused on helping the people of his hometown." Scellick said the family's influence stretched far beyond irrigation. The house contains artifacts, documents and correspondence connected to both American and regional history, including records tied to the Washington family, letters dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries and historically significant family heirlooms. "It's the archives that were in the house from the first president and from different aspects of history," Scellick said. "The letters, the books, the documents. To have all of that is a rarity in itself." S”
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  The irrigation projects shaped Central Washington agriculture“According to Rae Anna Victor, regent of the Jonas Babcock Chapter of the DAR, the project grew from an effort to educate Washington residents about those family connections. "We found it fascinating that we have descendants of George Washington's family here in Washington state, and a minuscule amount of people even know that," Victor said. "The fact that we had them buried in Almira and living in Ephrata for nearly a century, we thought something had to be done to bring this story to prominence." The house preserves the story of several generations of the Washington family whose contributions helped shape the Columbia Basin. Among them was Nat Washington Sr., who played a major role in promoting what eventually became Grand Coulee Dam. According to Victor, Washington was among the earliest advocates for large-scale irrigation projects that would transform Central Washington agriculture. "It was Nat Washington who first brought it to the attention of (President Franklin) Roosevelt," Victor said. "The things (Nat Washington) did were for the whole state, but really focused on helping the people of his hometown." Scellick said the family's influence stretched far beyond irrigation. The house contains artifacts, documents and correspondence connected to both American and regional history, including records tied to the Washington family, letters dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries and historically significant family heirlooms. "It's the archives that were in the house from the first president and from different aspects of history," Scellick said. "The letters, the books, the documents. To have all of that is a rarity in itself." S Source: https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2026/aug/13/we-are-on-the-map-nat-washington-house-earns-national-historical-recognition/”
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  The irrigation projects are tied to the Grand Coulee Dam“According to Rae Anna Victor, regent of the Jonas Babcock Chapter of the DAR, the project grew from an effort to educate Washington residents about those family connections. "We found it fascinating that we have descendants of George Washington's family here in Washington state, and a minuscule amount of people even know that," Victor said. "The fact that we had them buried in Almira and living in Ephrata for nearly a century, we thought something had to be done to bring this story to prominence." The house preserves the story of several generations of the Washington family whose contributions helped shape the Columbia Basin. Among them was Nat Washington Sr., who played a major role in promoting what eventually became Grand Coulee Dam. According to Victor, Washington was among the earliest advocates for large-scale irrigation projects that would transform Central Washington agriculture. "It was Nat Washington who first brought it to the attention of (President Franklin) Roosevelt," Victor said. "The things (Nat Washington) did were for the whole state, but really focused on helping the people of his hometown." Scellick said the family's influence stretched far beyond irrigation. The house contains artifacts, documents and correspondence connected to both American and regional history, including records tied to the Washington family, letters dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries and historically significant family heirlooms. "It's the archives that were in the house from the first president and from different aspects of history," Scellick said. "The letters, the books, the documents. To have all of that is a rarity in itself." S Source: https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2026/aug/13/we-are-on-the-map-nat-washington-house-earns-national-historical-recognition/”
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  Owner Mike Scellick restored the property“"It's just unbelievable," said owner Mike Scellick, who has spent years restoring the property and preserving its history.”
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  Owner Mike Scellick called the designation "nationally recognized"“"We've come a long way from when we just bought the house and thought about what we were going to do with it. Now it's nationally recognized. We are on the map. We're really excited."”
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  The house preserves artifacts and documents tied to American and regional history“The house preserves the story of several generations of the Washington family whose contributions helped shape the Columbia Basin. Among them was Nat Washington Sr., who played a major role in promoting what eventually became Grand Coulee Dam. According to Victor, Washington was among the earliest advocates for large-scale irrigation projects that would transform Central Washington agriculture. "It was Nat Washington who first brought it to the attention of (President Franklin) Roosevelt," Victor said. "The things (Nat Washington) did were for the whole state, but really focused on helping the people of his hometown." Scellick said the family's influence stretched far beyond irrigation. The house contains artifacts, documents and correspondence connected to both American and regional history, including records tied to the Washington family, letters dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries and historically significant family heirlooms. "It's the archives that were in the house from the first president and from different aspects of history," Scellick said. "The letters, the books, the documents. To have all of that is a rarity in itself." S”
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  The house includes letters from the 18th and 19th centuries“The house contains artifacts, documents and correspondence connected to both American and regional history, including records tied to the Washington family, letters dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries and historically significant family heirlooms.”