Remembering the life of Nelson icon Earl Hamner Jr.
Nelson County native Earl Hamner Jr., the creator of “The Waltons,” died 10 years ago today on March 24, 2016, at age 92.
Hamner’s novel, “Spencer’s Mountain,” which was inspired by his experiences growing up during the Great Depression in the mountains of Virginia, was the basis for the show that ran from 1972 to 1981 and garnered 14 Emmy Awards.
A statue of Nelson County native Earl Hamner Jr. is unveiled at the Nelson County Historical Society and Oakland Museum in Arrington on Saturday, July 8, 2023.
Audrey Hamner sits on a bench dedicated to her brother, the late Earl Hamner Jr., during a memorial service for him as part of The Waltons 45th Anniversary Reunion in Schuyler in 2017. Cast members of the popular television (pictured) created by Earl Hamner Jr., a Nelson native who wrote about his experiences and died in 2016, attended the reunion.
Earl Hamner Jr. wears his Literary Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented by Richard Thomas (right) at the Library of Virginia. Hamner wrote long-running TV series “The Waltons” and Thomas starred as John-Boy Walton, the character Hamner modeled after himself.
A photo of Earl Hamner Jr. is seen in the Walton’s Mountain Museum on March 25, 2016, in Schuyler. Hamner created the television show “The Waltons” based off of his experiences growing up in Schuyler. Hamner died in March 2016 at age 92.
"The Waltons" fans release balloons in memory of Earl Hamner, Jr. during The Waltons 45th Anniversary Reunion on Sunday March 26, 2017 in Schuyler, Va. Photo by Lathan Goumas.
A man takes pictures of cast members of "The Waltons" before a memorial service to the show's creator, Earl Hamner, Jr., during The Waltons 45th Anniversary Reunion on Sunday March 26, 2017 in Schuyler, Va. Photo by Lathan Goumas.
Audrey Hamner releases a balloon in memory of her brother Earl Hamner, Jr. during The Waltons 45th Anniversary Reunion on Sunday March 26, 2017 in Schuyler, Va. Photo by Lathan Goumas.
Eric Scott, who portrayed Ben Walton on "The Waltons", helps plant a tree in honor of show creator Earl Hamner, Jr. during The Waltons 45th Anniversary Reunion on Sunday March 26, 2017 in Schuyler, Va. Photo by Lathan Goumas.
Earl Hamner Jr.
A group of undated portraits of Earl Hamner Jr. from the files of The News & Advance.
“Waltons” creator Earl Hamner Jr., seen in this 2013 photo when he was honored by the Virginia General Assembly, died in March 2016 at age 92.
July 16, 1973 - Earl Hamner Jr., native of Nelson County, creator of "The Waltons" television series, holds the plaque naming him Virginian of the Year for 1973. The Award was presented to him by the Virginia Press Association. Beside him is his mother, Mrs. Earl Hamner. Behind them are other family members, all natives of Nelson County.
File - May 12, 1973. Family joins Hamner for Homecomming - The family of Earl Hamner Jr., second from left, join him at a press conference in Nelson County High School. That year's Nelson County Day celebrations were held in his honor. Family memebers were, from Left, Mrs. Doris Hamner, his mother, son, Scott, 17, wife, Jane and daughter, Carrie, 14.
Earl Hamner, creator of The Waltons, will have a documentary on his life released later this year. Photo courtesy of Ray Castro Jr.
Earl Hamner Jr. reads at his namesake theater in Nelson County in November.
People take photos during the unveiling ceremony of statues of country musician Jimmy Fortune and “The Waltons” creator, Earl Hamner Jr., in Nelson County on Saturday.
Statues of country musician Jimmy Fortune (front) and “The Waltons” creator, Earl Hamner Jr. (left), in Nelson County.
The Hamner family home in Schuyler. The house is billed as "The Original Walton House" because "The Walton's" creator Earl Hamner used his experiences growing up in Schuyler as the basis for the show. File photo
Photos of Earl Hamner are seen in the Walton's Mountain Museum on Friday March 25, 2016 in Schuyler, VA. Hamner created "The Walton's" basing the television show off his childhood in Schuyler. Hamner died Thursday at 92. Photo by Lathan Goumas.
Magazines featuring "The Walton's" on the cover on display at the Walton's Mountain Museum on Friday March 25, 2016 in Schuyler, VA. "The Walton's" creator Earl Hamner died on Thursday at 92. Hamner used his life growing up in Schuyler as the basis for the television show. Photo by Lathan Goumas.
Earl Hamner
Justin Faulconer
Reporter/Editor of Amherst New-Era Progress and Nelson County Times
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