Recipients of Heritage Medallion
.The award of the Heritage Medallion was established in 1987* to honor individuals and/or organizations for services to the Welsh American community. Their prominence and accomplishments have benefited and brought recognition to Wales and the Welsh American community. The Medallion, the Foundation’s highest honor, is presented to the recipient(s) at the North American Festival of Wales.
*Up until 2025, Awards were given by the North American Welsh Foundation.
2025 David Mathews ~ Teacher and leader in sharing his reverence for indigenous peoples.
2024 Welsh Women’s Peace Petition Partnership ~ marking the centenary of the remarkable Peace
Appeal of 1923–24.
2023 Great Plains Welsh Heritage Project ~ Dedicated to discovering, preserving, interpreting, and
celebrating the contributions of Welsh pioneers on the prairies and across North America.
2022 Edward Morus Jones ~ A beloved transatlantic leader of Welsh American life,
Arweinydd annwyl o fywyd Cymreig dros yr Iwerydd
2020/21 ~ Suspended
2019 The Welsh Gymanfa Ganu Association of Wisconsin ~ Preserve the history and providing a strong
pillar of Welsh American life in Wisconsin.
2018 David Jones & Donna Lloyd-Jones ~ Leaders, Patrons and Conservators of our Welsh Heritage.
2017 Catrin Brace ~ Our unparalleled link between Wales and North America.
2016 Dr. Grenville Thomas ~ Explorer and innovator.
2015 Dr AdaMae Lewis ~ A leader with great motivation, vision, tenacity and tenderness.
2014 Mary Morris Mergenthal ~ Publisher, musician and community leader.
2013 Hefina Phillips ~ Unique teacher, mentor and ambassador.
2012 Beth Landmesser ~ Promoter of Welsh music and culture.
2011 Dr Alan and Gretta Upshall ~ Promoters of Welsh music and culture.
2010 Berwyn Jones & Martha Davies ~ Conservators of Welsh History in America.
2009 St. David’s Society of Pittsburgh ~ Conservators of Welsh History in America.
2009 Mari Morgan ~ Leader of Welsh Music in America.
2008 Dr. John S. & Karen Ellis ~ Leaders of Welsh American Culture and Literature.
2007 Robert H. Roser Jr. ~ Historian, Musician, Linguist & Community.
2006 Evan & Elizabeth Davis ~ Leader Philanthropists & Cultural Patrons.
2005 Arturo L. Roberts, M.D. ~ Publisher & Exec. Editor, Ninnau & Y Drych; leader of Welsh American Life.
2004 Ellis J. Jones, Ed.D. ~ Educator & Organizer of Welsh Culture in North America.
2003 Lloyd Jones. P.E. ~ Philanthropist & Benefactor.
2002 Jack A. Pritchard ~ Organizer & Treasurer, NWAF.
2002 Handel Cromwell Evans ~ Welsh Artist, Contemporary Culture Award.
2001 Lord Gordon Parry, D.L. ~ Educator, Benefactor & former Chairman, Wales Tourist Board.
2000 Hywel M. Davies ~ Organizer, First Treasurer, NWAF; Culture & Business in Wales.
2000 Howard & Rosalind Patrick ~ Organizer, First Secretary, NWAF.
1999 Will Rhys ~ Founder & Artistic Director, National Theatre of the Deaf.
1999 Paul E. Loveluck, C.B.E. ~ President, National Museum & Galleries of Wales; former Chief Executive.
Countryside Council for Wales; former Chief Executive, Wales Tourist Board.
1997 Hon. Emlyn I. Griffith ~ Distinguished Attorney & Educator.
1996 Dr. David & Joan Mandry ~ Leaders of WNGGA & NWAF.
1995 Col. Alfred J. Reese, Jr ~ Secretary, NWAF; Editor, NWAF Eagle & the Dragon Newsletter Secretary.
1994 Nelson L. Llewellyn ~ Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association.
1993 Myra Thomas Lawrence ~ Woman Pioneer; Member, Gorsedd of Bards.
1992 Dr. Islyn Thomas, O.B.E. ~ Plastics Pioneer; Member, Gorsedd of Bards.
1992 Dr. Ellis W. Roberts ~ Educator, Business Leader & Author.
1991 Dr. Edward G. Hartmann ~ Educator, Historian & Author.
1990 Sir Howard Stringer ~ Former Chairman & CEO, Sony Corp. & President, CBS.
1989 T. Elwyn Griffiths ~ Founder, Undeb y Cymry a’r Wasgar, Wales International; former Editor, Yr Enfys.
1988 John K. Evans ~ NWAF Founder & First President, Philanthropist & Entrepreneur.
1987 General David C. Jones ~ Former Chairman, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
*Up until 2025, Awards were given by the North American Welsh Foundation.
2025 David Mathews ~ Teacher and leader in sharing his reverence for indigenous peoples.
2024 Welsh Women’s Peace Petition Partnership ~ marking the centenary of the remarkable Peace
Appeal of 1923–24.
2023 Great Plains Welsh Heritage Project ~ Dedicated to discovering, preserving, interpreting, and
celebrating the contributions of Welsh pioneers on the prairies and across North America.
2022 Edward Morus Jones ~ A beloved transatlantic leader of Welsh American life,
Arweinydd annwyl o fywyd Cymreig dros yr Iwerydd
2020/21 ~ Suspended
2019 The Welsh Gymanfa Ganu Association of Wisconsin ~ Preserve the history and providing a strong
pillar of Welsh American life in Wisconsin.
2018 David Jones & Donna Lloyd-Jones ~ Leaders, Patrons and Conservators of our Welsh Heritage.
2017 Catrin Brace ~ Our unparalleled link between Wales and North America.
2016 Dr. Grenville Thomas ~ Explorer and innovator.
2015 Dr AdaMae Lewis ~ A leader with great motivation, vision, tenacity and tenderness.
2014 Mary Morris Mergenthal ~ Publisher, musician and community leader.
2013 Hefina Phillips ~ Unique teacher, mentor and ambassador.
2012 Beth Landmesser ~ Promoter of Welsh music and culture.
2011 Dr Alan and Gretta Upshall ~ Promoters of Welsh music and culture.
2010 Berwyn Jones & Martha Davies ~ Conservators of Welsh History in America.
2009 St. David’s Society of Pittsburgh ~ Conservators of Welsh History in America.
2009 Mari Morgan ~ Leader of Welsh Music in America.
2008 Dr. John S. & Karen Ellis ~ Leaders of Welsh American Culture and Literature.
2007 Robert H. Roser Jr. ~ Historian, Musician, Linguist & Community.
2006 Evan & Elizabeth Davis ~ Leader Philanthropists & Cultural Patrons.
2005 Arturo L. Roberts, M.D. ~ Publisher & Exec. Editor, Ninnau & Y Drych; leader of Welsh American Life.
2004 Ellis J. Jones, Ed.D. ~ Educator & Organizer of Welsh Culture in North America.
2003 Lloyd Jones. P.E. ~ Philanthropist & Benefactor.
2002 Jack A. Pritchard ~ Organizer & Treasurer, NWAF.
2002 Handel Cromwell Evans ~ Welsh Artist, Contemporary Culture Award.
2001 Lord Gordon Parry, D.L. ~ Educator, Benefactor & former Chairman, Wales Tourist Board.
2000 Hywel M. Davies ~ Organizer, First Treasurer, NWAF; Culture & Business in Wales.
2000 Howard & Rosalind Patrick ~ Organizer, First Secretary, NWAF.
1999 Will Rhys ~ Founder & Artistic Director, National Theatre of the Deaf.
1999 Paul E. Loveluck, C.B.E. ~ President, National Museum & Galleries of Wales; former Chief Executive.
Countryside Council for Wales; former Chief Executive, Wales Tourist Board.
1997 Hon. Emlyn I. Griffith ~ Distinguished Attorney & Educator.
1996 Dr. David & Joan Mandry ~ Leaders of WNGGA & NWAF.
1995 Col. Alfred J. Reese, Jr ~ Secretary, NWAF; Editor, NWAF Eagle & the Dragon Newsletter Secretary.
1994 Nelson L. Llewellyn ~ Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association.
1993 Myra Thomas Lawrence ~ Woman Pioneer; Member, Gorsedd of Bards.
1992 Dr. Islyn Thomas, O.B.E. ~ Plastics Pioneer; Member, Gorsedd of Bards.
1992 Dr. Ellis W. Roberts ~ Educator, Business Leader & Author.
1991 Dr. Edward G. Hartmann ~ Educator, Historian & Author.
1990 Sir Howard Stringer ~ Former Chairman & CEO, Sony Corp. & President, CBS.
1989 T. Elwyn Griffiths ~ Founder, Undeb y Cymry a’r Wasgar, Wales International; former Editor, Yr Enfys.
1988 John K. Evans ~ NWAF Founder & First President, Philanthropist & Entrepreneur.
1987 General David C. Jones ~ Former Chairman, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.