You are invited…

Join Oconee History Museum as we dedicate the Exhibit Hall to John Ashton Hester, long-time Editor of the Keowee Courier and local historian.

Ashton Hester has served the Walhalla and Oconee County communities since 1969.  

After graduating from the University of South Florida, Ashton Hester served honorably in the Vietnam War before moving to Oconee County to become the Sports Editor for the Seneca Journal.  Ashton would go on to become the Editor for the Keowee Courier for 47 years, documenting Oconee County’s history as it happened.  During his career he received the honor of being both the youngest newspaper editor and the oldest newspaper editor in South Carolina.  

In retirement, Ashton has used his valuable knowledge to produce a series of books entitled Looking Back compiling and curating local history from the Keowee Courier, which served Oconee County from 1849 to 2019.  

In recognition of his immense contributions to documenting local history and for his support of Oconee History Museum, the Board of Directors and Staff wish to dedicate the Exhibit Hall to John Ashton Hester.