
Michael Watson, a native of Adair County, spent 27 years working with students at Anderson County High, teaching Advanced Placement U.S. History, as well as various social studies classes and operating the library media center the last 10 years.
A historian by training, he has worked many hours over the past 40-plus years pursuing his true avocation — researching local history and genealogy and has published several local history books and articles.
He was editor of the Kentucky Genealogical Society’s quarterly publication, Bluegrass Roots for 10 years; served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Kentucky State Archives for 22 years; and most recently, helped to establish the Adair County Genealogy & History Research Center at Columbia, where he is one of the on-site researchers.
Mike was recognized Thursday at the Middle Cumberland Retired Teachers Association (MRTA) business meeting in Albany, Kentucky, and presented with the Volunteer of the Year award. Mike completed hundreds of volunteer hours in 2021-2022.