Peck-Crim-Chesser House
14 N. Walnut St., Philippi, WVThe Peck-Crim-Chesser house in Philippi, Barbour County, West Virginia is significant because it is a well-preserved unaltered surviving example of late 19th century Victorian architecture (1884), because it is prominently sited, has been continuously occupied by members of the same family for one hundred years, and because this family has been prominent in the local 18th, 19th and 20th-century society of this rural county seat. It is notable that this house was designed by two women: Cora Crim Peck who took great pride in the original plans, developed prior to 1884 (undoubtedly plan books were used), especially in the three-run open well stairway, and Virginia Talbott Crim whose addition in 1907 coordinated in design with the original while roughly doubling the size of the home. The tall gables with their sawn barge boards, the triple bays, the porch of columns, louvered shutters, pintles all intact, double-hung windows, locally pressed brick, and limestone hand-tooled foundation stones, eleven foot six inch plaster walls, exterior and interior doors with transoms, extensive oak wainscoting, open-work, and flooring testify to the status of the owners and the quality of workmanship of the times.
The citizens of Philippi for whom this house was originally built were Cora May Crim Peck (1859-1948) and Melville Peck, Esquire, natives of Barbour County. Cora Peck was the daughter of J.N.B. Crim, the leading merchant, foremost businessman and financier of the county. Melville Peck (1855-?) was an active member of the firm of Crim and Peck, graduate of West Virginia College, Morgantown, admitted to the Bar 1881, practiced law in Philippi, and with his wife established the Tygarts Valley Star Weekly "to be a leader not a follower of public sentiment." (Cora Peck supervised the office and did the writing.) Peck was Prosecuting Attorney for four years, was twice mayor of Philippi. The Crim-Peck building was erected in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Peck were prominent citizens in Philippi until they moved to Richmond in 1907.
Edmund Hall Crim (1864-1920) who purchased the home of his sister, Mrs. Peck, was educated at West Virginia College, Morgantown, was President of the First National Bank in Philippi, President of E.H. Crim and Company and successor to his father's business empire until he was robbed and murdered on a business trip to New York City. Continuing to live in the home were his widow and daughter. The widow, Virginia Talbott Crim, was a great great granddaughter of Richard Talbott, the first white man to have resided permanently in Barbour County (1782) and great-niece of Elam Dowden Talbott (1810-?) a physician and surgeon elected to the Virginia Assembly who was instrumental in getting appropriations to build the covered bridge at Philippi and who played an important role in the formation of Barbour County and in having the town of Philippi named and incorporated. The site of the first land battle of the Civil War, presently Alderson Broaddus College, was located on his farmland, Talbott's Hill. Mrs. Crim was also the first cousin of Richard E. Talbott, one-time treasurer of the state of West Virginia.
The daughter, Lucille (Crim) Chesser (1896-) continues to reside in the family home. Highly educated and traveled she has been a high school teacher and college professor, businesswoman managing the Crim estate, member of the Board of Governors of Alderson Broaddus College, and a benefactor to the community. St. Paul's Episcopal Church stands in the center of land donated by her in the same block as the PeckCrim-Chesser residence. Crim dining room and Chesser lounge at Alderson Broaddus College are memorials to her mother and husband. Lucille Crim Chesser has a lifetime interest in the residence which passes to her daughters Peggy Chesser Hadley and Julia Chesser Martine.
The Peck-Crim-Chesser house is significant historically both as a strong architectural testament to the best of late 19th-century Victorian architecture, workmanship, and materials and as a living witness to a distinguished family whose influence remains prominent in Barbour County, West Virginia a century later.
Local significance of the building:
The citizens of Philippi for whom this house was originally built were Cora May Crim Peck (1859-1948) and Melville Peck, Esquire, natives of Barbour County. Cora Peck was the daughter of J.N.B. Crim, the leading merchant, foremost businessman and financier of the county. Melville Peck (1855-?) was an active member of the firm of Crim and Peck, graduate of West Virginia College, Morgantown, admitted to the Bar 1881, practiced law in Philippi, and with his wife established the Tygarts Valley Star Weekly "to be a leader not a follower of public sentiment." (Cora Peck supervised the office and did the writing.) Peck was Prosecuting Attorney for four years, was twice mayor of Philippi. The Crim-Peck building was erected in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Peck were prominent citizens in Philippi until they moved to Richmond in 1907.
Edmund Hall Crim (1864-1920) who purchased the home of his sister, Mrs. Peck, was educated at West Virginia College, Morgantown, was President of the First National Bank in Philippi, President of E.H. Crim and Company and successor to his father's business empire until he was robbed and murdered on a business trip to New York City. Continuing to live in the home were his widow and daughter. The widow, Virginia Talbott Crim, was a great great granddaughter of Richard Talbott, the first white man to have resided permanently in Barbour County (1782) and great-niece of Elam Dowden Talbott (1810-?) a physician and surgeon elected to the Virginia Assembly who was instrumental in getting appropriations to build the covered bridge at Philippi and who played an important role in the formation of Barbour County and in having the town of Philippi named and incorporated. The site of the first land battle of the Civil War, presently Alderson Broaddus College, was located on his farmland, Talbott's Hill. Mrs. Crim was also the first cousin of Richard E. Talbott, one-time treasurer of the state of West Virginia.
The daughter, Lucille (Crim) Chesser (1896-) continues to reside in the family home. Highly educated and traveled she has been a high school teacher and college professor, businesswoman managing the Crim estate, member of the Board of Governors of Alderson Broaddus College, and a benefactor to the community. St. Paul's Episcopal Church stands in the center of land donated by her in the same block as the PeckCrim-Chesser residence. Crim dining room and Chesser lounge at Alderson Broaddus College are memorials to her mother and husband. Lucille Crim Chesser has a lifetime interest in the residence which passes to her daughters Peggy Chesser Hadley and Julia Chesser Martine.
The Peck-Crim-Chesser house is significant historically both as a strong architectural testament to the best of late 19th-century Victorian architecture, workmanship, and materials and as a living witness to a distinguished family whose influence remains prominent in Barbour County, West Virginia a century later.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Loading...
West Virginia is the only state in the United States to be created as a result of the Civil War. In 1861, Virginia seceded from the Union, but many residents in the western part of the state opposed secession and eventually formed their own state, which was admitted to the Union in 1863.
About Barbour County
Barbour County Timeline
Barbour County, located in West Virginia, has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Shawnee and Delaware, who utilized the region's abundant natural resources for hunting, fishing, and gathering.
European settlers began arriving in the late 1770s, with the first permanent settlement established in 1780. The county was officially created in 1843, named after Philip Pendleton Barbour, an influential Virginia politician. During the 1800s, Barbour County became an important center for agriculture, logging, and later, coal mining.
Barbour County played an important role during the American Civil War. It was the site of several battles and skirmishes between Union and Confederate forces, including the Battle of Philippi in 1861, which is considered the first organized land battle of the war. Following the war, the county experienced economic growth as industries such as lumber and textiles flourished.
In the 20th century, Barbour County continued to evolve, with the advent of modern transportation and infrastructure. The construction of railroads allowed for easier access to markets, while the expansion of roads and bridges further connected the county to neighboring areas. Today, Barbour County is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and tight-knit communities that preserve its historical heritage.
European settlers began arriving in the late 1770s, with the first permanent settlement established in 1780. The county was officially created in 1843, named after Philip Pendleton Barbour, an influential Virginia politician. During the 1800s, Barbour County became an important center for agriculture, logging, and later, coal mining.
Barbour County played an important role during the American Civil War. It was the site of several battles and skirmishes between Union and Confederate forces, including the Battle of Philippi in 1861, which is considered the first organized land battle of the war. Following the war, the county experienced economic growth as industries such as lumber and textiles flourished.
In the 20th century, Barbour County continued to evolve, with the advent of modern transportation and infrastructure. The construction of railroads allowed for easier access to markets, while the expansion of roads and bridges further connected the county to neighboring areas. Today, Barbour County is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and tight-knit communities that preserve its historical heritage.
Barbour County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Barbour County, West Virginia.
- 1789: Barbour County is established as a county in what was then Virginia.
- 1820: Philippi becomes the county seat of Barbour County.
- 1861-1865: Barbour County is deeply affected by the American Civil War.
- 1863: The Battle of Philippi takes place, marking the first organized land action of the war.
- 1929: A flood devastates the communities in Barbour County.
- 1972: Audra State Park is established in the county.
- 1990: The Barbour County Historical Museum is opened in Philippi.