Beech Tree News Network

The Green River Museum honors someone who has impacted or preserved Butler County's history each year.  The 2023 Impact Award recognizes the late Howard Willis Vaughn.  A special presentation by Tommy Hines, Museum Director, and a reception was held in his honor on Sunday afternoon.

Hines shared the following: 

Howard Willis Vaughn was born in Rochester, Kentucky, on March 25, 1934—the son of Eldon Howard Vaughn and Amy Willis Vaughn.  Howard had two sisters, Billie Mae Jenkins and Carol Kemp, and one brother (who is still with us), Gene.

Howard Vaughn married Patty Davenport on September 16, 1960, and they had two children, Terry and Chuck, who are here today.  Mr. Vaughn served in the U.S. Air Force.  After being stationed in Hampton, VA, and Victorville, CA, the family returned to Kentucky, where he completed his teacher education requirements at WKU.

He was hired as a faculty member at Butler County High School beginning in the fall of 1968.  As a teacher, he taught American history, Psychology, and Kentucky Studies; he also served as assistant and head basketball coach from the late 1970s to 1980.  Mr. Vaughn also coached tennis.  He became the high school principal in 1988, retiring to play golf in 1991.

During his tenure as principal, the great walkout took place at the high school in 1988.  News coverage in both print media and WBKO-TV chronicled the 50 students who walked out of the school in protest of the implementation of the hall pass.  As usual, Mr. Vaughn handled the situation with calmness and quiet authority.

The characteristic of quiet authority is well-remembered by Mr. Vaughn's students.  Also remembered are his compassion, humor, and ability to make students feel accepted and special.  His even-keel personality and sense of contentment figured prominently in his success as an administrator and a beloved teacher.

Mr. Vaughn's love for history led him to research his hometown of Rochester, chronicling the people, the buildings, and the events that shaped his community.  He published a book of photographs and written history on Rochester after his retirement, a treasured personal history, the absolute best we have on the subject.  Terri and Chuck recently donated several boxes of Mr. Vaughn's research materials to the museum, including manuscripts, printed material, and historic photographs.

In the forward of his book, Mr. Vaughn chose to include a profound quote by Cicero: " Not knowing what happened before one was born is always to be a child."

Mr. Vaughn made sure that only happened to a few people.  He cared deeply about local history and has left a legacy of learning because of his publication and the hundreds of young people he influenced throughout his career.