Clarksville Couple Will Receive Museum Award

Ernest and Joan DeWald will be honored at a conference luncheon for their long-term museum support.

Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Awards

Screen-print poster illustration of a white lily on a gallery pedestal, evoking museum patronage and historical preservation. — Ernest and Joan DeWald will receive the Distinguished Contributor Award from the Southeastern Museums Conference on September 30 for their decades of philanthropic support. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Southeastern Museums Conference will present its Distinguished Contributor Award to Ernest and Joan DeWald on September 30, 2026. The Clarksville residents were chosen for their extensive philanthropic contributions and leadership support for museums.

Why it matters

The honor recognizes individuals outside of the professional museum field who have provided significant philanthropic support or leadership to museum institutions for at least two decades.

The Distinguished Contributor Award is limited to one recipient annually and requires a minimum of 20 years of dedicated museum support. The DeWalds have contributed through both personal resources and the loan of objects.

The players

Ernest DeWald

He is a Clarksville resident and military veteran who served more than two decades in the Army Dental Corps.

Joan DeWald

She is a Clarksville resident who previously served as a member of the Customs House Museum Board of Trustees.

Southeastern Museums Conference

This professional organization serves museum workers and institutions across the Southeast through advocacy and training.

The details

Ernest and Joan DeWald have supported local institutions through gifts of time, talent, and items from their private collection. Their history includes Joan DeWald serving on the Customs House Museum Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2009 and the couple serving as Presenting Sponsors for the 2024 Flying High event.

The award was established in 1999.
Joan DeWald served on the Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2009.
The DeWalds received the Gracey Award in 2011.
The couple were Presenting Sponsors for Flying High in 2024.
The award ceremony takes place on September 30, 2026.

Roadmap

This award highlights the vital role private patrons play in the longevity of regional museums. As institutions evolve, public-private partnerships remain essential for sustaining long-term cultural programming.

The recognition of local residents highlights the community-based support necessary for the continued operation of the Customs House Museum. This underscores the potential for residents to influence the cultural preservation of the city through their own philanthropic efforts.

The takeaway

Supporting local cultural institutions through long-term volunteerism and resources fosters community stability. Dedicated service over many years remains one of the most effective ways to preserve regional history for future generations.

What happens next

The recipients will be honored during the SEMC2026 Annual Meeting Awards Luncheon, scheduled for September 30, 2026, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.