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AHOSKIE – Ralph Hewitt retired two years ago as the Executive Director of Ahoskie’s historic Gallery Theatre, but his legacy lives on.

Last week, Hewitt received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors those who help their neighbors, community and nation by dedicating at least 4,000 hours of volunteer service over the course of their lives.

The award includes a personalized certificate of achievement and letter signed by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. as well as a lapel pin and a special commemorative coin.

In part, Biden’s letter stated, “Throughout our country’s history, the American story has been strengthened by those who combine an optimism about what can be done with the resilience to turn that vision into reality. I know I’m not alone in recognizing that those who are willing to step up and volunteer in service of community and country are essential to the ongoing work of forming our more perfect union.”

“This was a great surprise,” said Hewitt about receiving such an esteemed honor. “I would have never dreamed of being recognized by the President of the United States. For someone to think of me in such regard, that in itself is a great honor. I’m truly humbled.

“All I did over the course of my time here at the Gallery was to do the thing I love the most – promote cultural arts. I didn’t do it for any special recognition,” he added.

Hewitt’s career at the Gallery totals nearly 25 years, including 16 as the theatre’s Executive Director. He retired on Sept. 30, 2022.

“I have so many great memories here,” he stressed. “Now I’m looking for others to build many more memories here.

“I make it a point to come back on occasion to see what’s going on here at the Gallery. I can’t totally walk away from it. I want to continue to support this theatre and all those who are doing good things here to promote the arts,” Hewitt stated.

Latrese Carter, President of the Galley Theatre Board of Directors, presented Hewitt with the honor.

“Hearing all the stories, even those coming from the North Carolina Arts Council, about his contributions to this theatre tells me all I need to know about the legacy that Ralph Hewitt built here at the Gallery,” Carter said. “He put a lot of sweat into making the Gallery what it is today. We’re just trying to walk in his shoes.

She noted it was only fitting for Hewitt to receive the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.

“He has put in over 5,000 volunteer hours here, meaning that as the Executive Director he didn’t always get paid,” Carter said. “The North Carolina Arts Council has recognized the work Ralph did here. Because of his work, the Hertford County Arts Council was formed, which allowed us to receive grant funding that allowed the Gallery Theatre to continue its effort to offer cultural arts here locally. He is so deserving of this award. He is such a great man and a treasure to this community.”

A native of the Perrytown community in Bertie County, Hewitt attended Chowan College (now University) where he was involved in its theatrical program. That led him to earn a full scholarship to study at the Norfolk Civic Ballet. Another scholarship followed, this one at the Joffrey Ballet in New York City. He studied there for three years.

Hewitt eventually got a call for a position at the North Carolina Dance Theatre and over the next 10 years he toured the United States and Europe. He moved to Seattle, working five years in real estate development, before moving back to the Roanoke-Chowan area.

Looking to reengage himself into an artistic environment, he read a News-Herald story that served as a call for auditions for a musical play at the G allery Theatre. He returned to the stage as an actor and also directed and choreographed numerous plays.

Upon the retirement of Lottie Lassiter, then the Gallery’s Executive Director, she recommended Hewitt as her replacement.

The rest, as they say, is history.