MLT Priscilla Hathaway Memorial Art Scholarship

2024 is a big year for a few reasons. For Mr. Brad Hathaway of Mattapoisett, MA it will mark his 92nd birthday, the 75th anniversary of his graduation from Fairhaven High School, and the 50th Anniversary of the Mattapoisett Land Trust , of which he was a founder.

Brad will turn 92 on April 5th this year. Brad and his late wife, Priscilla Hathaway, were two founding members of the Mattapoisett Land Trust (MLT). The MLT is a non-profit organization led by a Board of Directors that conserves land for the benefit of present and future generations of Mattapoisett. Founded on April 9th 1974, MLT has made strides in its first 50 years and has helped to forever protect over 1,000 acres of important conservation land. The accomplishments of today are thanks to those original MLT founders who had a vision and passion for protecting Mattapoisett's nature.

Brad and Priscilla were resilient in their advocacy for the protection of natural resources. On top of this, Priscilla was also a wonderfully talented artist and educator. To honor her memory, Brad set up the Priscilla Hathaway Memorial Art Scholarship with the MLT. The annual $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who exemplifies Priscilla's love for art and the natural world and who is pursuing a college education in art and design.

This year, Brad has the goal of raising money for the scholarship fund so that many students in the future may continue to carry on Priscilla's legacy.

You may recognize Brad as the man who "walked around the world ." At 88 years old in 2020 Brad had walked and logged 24,901 miles - the equivalent to walking around the circumference of the globe!

Brad used this remarkable feat and media coverage of his walk to raise money for MLT from those who were following and supporting his journey. What started as an effort to get exercise and stay healthy and mobile nearly 30 years ago has carried Brad through his struggles with Parkinson's disease and kidney disease today. He continues to walk weekly, if not daily, and is now closing in on 27,000 miles this year - another milestone for the nearly 92 year old. Brad aims to reach that milestone some time this summer.

To propel him towards that 27,000th mile, Brad wants to engage with the public again and ask for their support. You can sponsor Brad's miles with a donation - that donation will in turn go directly towards the Priscilla Hathaway Memorial Art Scholarship fund. Please support Brad and his walk to raise money for the scholarship.

It is a year full of big accomplishments worth celebrating, and Brad asks that you celebrate his 92nd birthday, the 50th Anniversary of MLT, his 75th high school graduation anniversary from Fairhaven High School, his journey to 27,000 miles, and the memory of his late wife Priscilla with a donation to this page.

All donations made on this page will specifically support the Priscilla Hathaway Memorial Art Scholarship Fund. The Priscilla Hathaway Memorial Art Scholarship is restricted fund managed by the Mattapoisett Land Trust. All scholarship applications are reviewed by the MLT Education Committee before being awarded to one senior high school student residing in Mattapoisett each year.

Thank you! Follow Mattapoisett Land Trust on Facebook and Instagram for updates to Brad's progress.