Washington County Flag History

 

Washington County had no flag until 1976. As part of America’s Bicentennial celebration, the Washington County Arts and Craft Association sponsored a Flag design contest. The contest was open to all citizens of the County, with the most interest being shown among the school children. Millry High School teacher, Richmond Chaney, challenged his ninth grade students to enter the contest and Nathaniel Henry from Millry Alabama was the winner.

 

Henry’s design was created with bright green background, a gold fringe border and a gold star encircled in gold with green letters stating “Washington, The First County In Alabama “.  The County Commission had this design reproduced and displayed in the Washington County Courthouse, but since that time very little was published about the flag and it was rarely seen throughout the county. Most Washington County citizens were not even aware of an official County flag. PPS, Prestwick Preservation Society became aware of this and on August 12, 2019, Micki Savage, Richmond Chaney and Kathy Etheredge, attended the Washington County Commission meeting to request the recommission of the official Washington County Flag,

 

Commissioner Allen Bailey alone with all other Washington County commissioners were very supportive of this project. Commissioner Joe Abston proposed a resolution of support that would re-introduce the flag to the citizens of Washington County. Commissioner Jason Booths contacted a company that could duplicate the flag and Micki Savage reached out to co-owner and publisher of the Washington County News, Rhonda Gray. Gray re-created the graphic design needed to put the flag back in production. These efforts were very instrumental with putting the flag back in circulation.

 

This historical journey began when Prestwick Preservation Society adopted the official Washington County flag (in celebration of Alabama‘s Bicentennial)  to fly over the Prestwick Preservation Park along side the American and  Alabama 200 Flag. The search for this flag lead to the recommission of the Washington County Flag and it also led Ms. Micki Savage to the location of the flag’s designer, Bishop Nathaniel Henry.

 

Bishop Henry graciously excepted the invitation from the Prestwick Preservation Society to raise the Washington County flag, designed by him and commissioned in 1976 and recommissioned on December 13, 2019, on the eve of Alabama’s Bicentennial at the Washington County Court House, in the County where Alabama began.

 

During the Washington County Flag Recommissioning ceremony Henry received a commendation from Governor Kay Ivey, presented by the mayor of Chatom, Harold Crouch; Acclamations from congressman Bradley Byrne, presented by Probate Judge Nick Williams and from the Washington County Commission, for his creation and contribution to Washington County.  A commemorative keepsake flag of Henry’s design was presented to him from the Prestwick Preservation Society.

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On December 14, 2019, (Alabama’s Bicentennial), Henry raises the county flag in the Prestwick Preservation Park, the first Park in Washington County developed by African-Americans devoted to preserving local and black history.

Bishop Nathaniel Henry is the first African-American to create an official county flag in the state of Alabama. Henry went on to become a respected Pastor and Bishop. He is the son of Elder Leroy and Bessie Henry. One of seven brothers and one sister.

He graduated from Millry High School and attended Faulkner State Junior College. He pursued a career in the appliance business and was later called to ministry.  He serves as Pastor and Bishop at Living Water Full Gospel Ministries in Meridian, Ms. He also serves as Bishop over churches in Gainesville, Ga.

 

He is married to Priscilla Hill Henry of Yarbo, AL. They have four children, three sons, one daughter and nine grandchildren. He currently resides in Decatur, Ms.

 

In honor of the Bicentennial events, on December 14, 2019 an official Washington County flag accompanied with a letter of thanks was sent to Governor Kay Ivey from the Prestwick Preservation Society in collaboration with the Washington County Commission, as a token of appreciation for her Support and recognition this bicentennial event.

 

For more information please visit our Facebook pages at:

 

• Washington County Flag, Alabama

• Prestwick Preservation Society

• Black History Month: Showcased

 

On Facebook, Search the page name, and then click the “PAGE” button on the top left corner.

This will take you directly to the page.

Please visit the Prestwick Preservation Society website at:

 

• www.PrestwickPS.org

 

Ms. Micki Savage, PPS President

Rev. Richmond Chaney, Vice President

Mrs. Kathy Etheredge, Secretary

Dr. Joannee P. Barnes, Treasurer

 

Advisory Board: Ms. Joyce Hogi, Mr. Gregg Savage, Professor Alvin Williams and Professor Ralph Eubanks.