Chase R. Whitcher Explained

Chase Roy Whitcher
Birth Date:8 December 1876
Birth Place:Lisbon, New Hampshire
Death Place:Manchester, New Hampshire

Chase R. Whitcher (1876–1940) was a notable American architect practicing in Manchester, New Hampshire, during the first half of the twentieth century.

Life and career

Chase Roy Whitcher was born December 8, 1876, in Lisbon, New Hampshire, to Ward Priest Whitcher and Pheeb H. (Perkins) Whitcher.[1] He studied architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and with architects in Boston, but did not receive a degree. In 1898 Whitcher returned to Lisbon, where he began working as an architect, probably with local contractor L. W. Goudie. In 1903 he established an independent architect's office in Lisbon. Circa 1907 he moved this office to Manchester, but kept his residence and family in Lisbon. By 1909, his wife and children had joined him in Manchester. For his entire time in Manchester, Whitcher kept his office in the Beacon Building, the city's most prestigious business address. Whitcher was in continuous practice in Manchester until his death in 1940. He was assisted during his career by at least two other architects, George O. Peabody and Roland S. Simonds, and several draftsmen. New Hampshire architects Carl E. Peterson and Malcolm D. Hildreth also worked in his office.[2]

In August 1913 Whitcher was appointed New Hampshire's second and last State Architect, having charge of design and construction of buildings at the various state institutions. The office was abolished in 1915.

After Whitcher's death, Simonds continued the practice, working until his own death in 1963.[3]

Personal life

In 1898 Whitcher married Eda M. Aldrich, also a native of Lisbon. They had two daughters.[1]

After several years of renting in Lisbon and Manchester, circa 1915 Whitcher built a home for his family at 1153 Union Street in Manchester. This was a traditional Colonial Revival home, and Whitcher lived there until his death.

Whitcher died August 25, 1940, in Manchester.

Legacy

Almost all of Whitcher's buildings were designed in the popular Colonial Revival and Beaux-Arts styles, with only occasional forays in the Gothic Revival or eclectic styles. During his lifetime, Whitcher was best known as an architect of schools and public buildings, but is today best remembered for Hampshire House at The Balsams in Dixville Notch, one of the largest and most elaborate buildings of its time in New Hampshire.[4]

At least six of Whitcher's works have been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places, and others contribute to listed historic districts.

Architectural works

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. William F. Whitcher, Descendants of Chase Whitcher of Warren, N. H. (Woodsville: News Book and Job Print, 1907)
  2. Lisa Mausolf, Mid 20th Century Architecture in NH: 1945–1975 (Concord: New Hampshire Department of Employment Security, 2012)
  3. "Roland Scott Simonds." aiahistoricaldirectory.atlassian.net. AIA Historical Directory of American Architects, n. d. Accessed November 1, 2021.
  4. Bryant F. Tolles Jr., The Grand Resort Hotels of the White Mountains: A Vanishing Architectural Legacy (D. R. Godine, 1998)
  5. "Building Intelligence," American Architect and Building News 7, no. 1884 (July 5, 1902): xi.
  6. "New Hampshire," Journal of Education 57, no. 19 (May 7, 1903): 300.
  7. Laura B. Driemeyer, Chase Roy Whitcher: A Monograph (Kensington: Preservation Company, 2008)
  8. Fifteenth Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the City of Laconia, New Hampshire, for the Year Ending February 15, 1908 (Laconia: Laconia Press Association, printers, 1908)
  9. Annual Reports of the Selectmen, Treasurer, Highway Surveyors, Library Trustees and Board of Education of the Town of Pembroke for the Fiscal Year Ending February 15, 1908 (Concord: J. Phaneuf & Son, printers, 1908)
  10. https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/04000587 Dunlap Building NRHP Registration Form
  11. "New Hampshire," American Architect 96, no. 1756 (August 18, 1909): 10.
  12. https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/84000530 Bedford Town Hall NRHP Registration Form
  13. https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/02000958 Deerfield Center Historic District NRHP Registration Form
  14. "Manchester, N. H.," American Contractor 36, no. 31 (July 31, 1915): 58.
  15. "New England," Bankers Magazine 91, no. 3 (September 1915): 448.
  16. Jeannette R. Thompson, History of the Town of Stratford, New Hampshire, 1773–1925 (Concord: Rumford Press, printers, 1925)
  17. https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/02000166 The Balsams NRHP Registration Form
  18. "Buildings," Engineering and Contracting 55, no. 7 (February 16, 1921): 34.
  19. "Building," Engineering News-Record 89. no. 7 (August 17, 1922): 92.
  20. https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/85002781 Millville School NRHP Registration Form
  21. "HOP.2", mhc-macris.net, Massachusetts Historical Commission, n. d.
  22. Annual Report of the Town Officers of the Town of Lancaster for the Fiscal Year Ending January 31, 1928 (Lancaster: 1928)
  23. Henniker Historical Society, The Only Henniker on Earth (Henniker: Henniker Historical Society, 1980)
  24. https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/04000964 Valley Cemetery NRHP Registration Form
  25. Engineering News-Record 110, no. 19 (May 11, 1933): 19.
  26. Engineering News-Record 119, no. 27 (December 30, 1937): 32.

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