Festival of Historic Houses Guidebook

Few double-houses exist in Elmwood, but the Arthur Peck House is certainly one of the most elaborate, if not dramatic. Under a large, asymmetrical, cross-gable roof, the house is riddled with projecting bays, a three-story oriel, dormers, and two Gothic-inspired hipped dormers above the third story. The entire ensemble embraces the Queen Anne style rather well. Two recessed and intimate entry porches soften the approach for visitors.

Arthur Peck was a partner in his father’s painting business, Benjamin W. Peck and Son, and resided through the 1910s at 54 Whitmarsh, which is considerably larger than 52. In the 1919–1920 city directories, the tenants included Russell Mack, an actor, in 52, and Charles Sanford, a grocer, in 54. Over the next several years, the tenants would change frequently.

Purchased by its current owners in 2014, 52 Whitmarsh has been lovingly maintained as a rental property, joining with its sister properties at 55, 63, and 67 Princeton Avenue.