Grace Martin Harwell

Grace Harwell, affectionately called Miss Grace, acted as the first recreation director in Washington even though she never officially held the title. Her recreation career began in 1942 as a volunteer leader of the USO Dances at the Bughouse Center. Following the war, Miss Grace opened the Bughouse Center for teen dances on Friday and Saturday nights. She attended classes to learn new skills and returned home to teach them to the citizens of Washington. During the 1950's and 1960's she ran activities at the Bughouse Center. She started the Tot Lot program that is still a major partof the department's summer programs. In addition to running the Center during the day, she organized, staffed, and made a success of the concession program at the athletic fields. She could handle any job and was never afraid of tackling new challenges. Miss Grace served under seven recreation directors, retiring in 1975. She contributed to the youth of Washington and in her later years became a frequent participant in the senior programs. She and husband Fred loved to travel with the Seniors from the Senior Center. It is with much pride that we have chosen the name of Grace Martin Harwell for our Senior Center.