Chester native, mayor of York, receives Preservation Award

The 2015 South Carolina Historic Preservation Awards were presented by Lt. Governor Henry McMaster on June 5 at the State House.  Among this year’s honorees were: Dr. J. Edward Lee, mayor of York, who received the Elected Official Award.

Born in Chester, Lee is the author or co-author of 15 books, including the award-winning “Yorkville to York,” a history of his hometown; “South Carolina in the Civil War;” and “Southern Cold Warrior,” a biography of U.S. Congressman James P. Richards.

He has served frequently as a commentator for national media, including NBC, CNN and Nation Public Radio.  he presents public programs on topics ranging from South Carolina history to the U.S. presidency.

A former president of the South Carolina Historical Association, Dr. Lee teaches at Winthrop.  Before coming to Winthrop, he taught history at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, the University of South Carolina and Belmont Abbey College.  His teaching has won several awards, including a Presidential Citation at Winthrop.

Lee is a commissioner for the South Carolina Archives and serves on the Review Committee for the National Register of historic Places.  Recently, he served as convocation speaker for the beginning of Winthrop’s 125th academic year.

For the last 13 years, Lee has served as mayor of the City of York.  Currently, he also chairs the Catawba Regional Council of Governments.

Article printed in The News & Reporter