Chase R. Whitcher (December 8, 1876 – August 25, 1940) was an American architect in practice in Lisbon and Manchester, New Hampshire, from 1903 until his death in 1940. He served as State Architect from 1913 until the office was abolished in 1915.

Life and career Chase Roy Whitcher was born December 8, 1876, in Lisbon, New Hampshire, to Ward Priest Whitcher and Pheeb H. Whitcher, née Perkins.William F. Whitcher, Descendants of Chase Whitcher of Warren, N. H. (Woodsville: News Book and Job Print, 1907) 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.Lisa Mausolf, Mid 20th Century Architecture in NH: 1945–1975 (Concord: New Hampshire Department of Employment Security, 2012)

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."Roland Scott Simonds." aiahistoricaldirectory.atlassian.net. AIA Historical Directory of American Architects, n. d. Accessed November 1, 2021.

Personal life In 1898 Whitcher married Eda M. Aldrich, also a native of Lisbon. They had two daughters.

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.Bryant F. Tolles Jr., The Grand Resort Hotels of the White Mountains: A Vanishing Architectural Legacy (D. R. Godine, 1998)

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 Bank Block, Lisbon, New Hampshire (1902)"Building Intelligence," American Architect and Building News 7, no. 1884 (July 5, 1902): xi. Boynton Block, Lisbon, New Hampshire (1902) Dow Academy, Franconia, New Hampshire (1903, NRHP-listed 1982)"New Hampshire," Journal of Education 57, no. 19 (May 7, 1903): 300. Littleton Hospital (former), Littleton, New Hampshire (1906–07)Laura B. Driemeyer, Chase Roy Whitcher: A Monograph (Kensington: Preservation Company, 2008) Laconia Hospital, Laconia, New Hampshire (1907–08, demolished)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) Pembroke Village School (former), Suncook, New Hampshire (1907–08)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) Remodeling of the Dunlap Building, Manchester, New Hampshire (1908, NRHP-listed 2004)Dunlap Building NRHP Registration Form (2004) Beaumont Hall, Tilton School, Tilton, New Hampshire (1909)"New Hampshire," American Architect 96, no. 1756 (August 18, 1909): 10. Bedford Town Hall, Bedford, New Hampshire (1909–10, NRHP-listed 1984)Bedford Town Hall NRHP Registration Form (1984) Quinby Building, Laconia State School, Laconia, New Hampshire (1909) Bath Town Hall, Bath, New Hampshire (1910) Colebrook Academy, Colebrook, New Hampshire (1910–11) Lincoln Chambers, Manchester, New Hampshire (1910–11) Warner Town Hall, Warner, New Hampshire (1910) Brown School (former), Manchester, New Hampshire (1911–12) Maynard School (former), Manchester, New Hampshire (1911–12) Soldiers Memorial Building, Deerfield, New Hampshire (1913–14)Deerfield Center Historic District NRHP Registration Form (2002) First Congregational Church, Lisbon, New Hampshire (1914) Portsmouth State Armory, Portsmouth, New Hampshire (1914–16, demolished 2004) Mary Lyon Hall, Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire (1915–16)"Manchester, N. H.," American Contractor 36, no. 31 (July 31, 1915): 58. Merchants National Bank Building, Manchester, New Hampshire (1915, demolished)"New England," Bankers Magazine 91, no. 3 (September 1915): 448. Stratford Public School, North Stratford, New Hampshire (1915–16)Jeannette R. Thompson, History of the Town of Stratford, New Hampshire, 1773–1925 (Concord: Rumford Press, printers, 1925) Hampshire House, The Balsams, Dixville Notch, New Hampshire (1916–18, NRHP-listed 2002)The Balsams NRHP Registration Form (2002) Manchester Practical Arts High School (former), Manchester, New Hampshire (1920) Weston School, Manchester, New Hampshire (1921)"Buildings," Engineering and Contracting 55, no. 7 (February 16, 1921): 34. A. Crosby Kennett High School (former), Conway, New Hampshire (1922–23)"Building," Engineering News-Record 89. no. 7 (August 17, 1922): 92. Manchester Country Club, Bedford, New Hampshire (1922–23) Brown Building, New Hampshire State Hospital, Concord, New Hampshire (1923–24) Millville School, Concord, New Hampshire (1923, NRHP-listed 1985)Millville School NRHP Registration Form (1985) Capitol Theatre and Masonic Temple, Concord, New Hampshire (1925–27) Huntress Hall, Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire (1925–26) Masonic Temple, Manchester, New Hampshire (1925) Butterfield Hall, Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire (1926–27) Lisbon Public Library, Lisbon, New Hampshire (1926) Public Service Company of New Hampshire Building, Manchester, New Hampshire (1926) General Draper High School, Hopedale, Massachusetts (1927)"HOP.2", mhc-macris.net, Massachusetts Historical Commission, n. d. Rhodes Hall, Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire (1927–28) Col. Town Community House, Lancaster, New Hampshire (1927)Annual Report of the Town Officers of the Town of Lancaster for the Fiscal Year Ending January 31, 1928 (Lancaster: 1928) Cogswell Memorial School, Henniker, New Hampshire (1930–31)Henniker Historical Society, The Only Henniker on Earth (Henniker: Henniker Historical Society, 1980) Pembroke Fire Station (former), Suncook, New Hampshire (1930) Tobey Building, New Hampshire State Hospital, Concord, New Hampshire (1930) Chapel, Valley Cemetery, Manchester, New Hampshire (1932, NRHP-listed 2004)Valley Cemetery NRHP Registration Form (2004) Spaulding Memorial School, Townsend, Massachusetts (1932) Greenville Consolidated School, Greenville, Maine (1933)Engineering News-Record 110, no. 19 (May 11, 1933): 19. Pfeiffer Hall, Tilton School, Tilton, New Hampshire (1938)Engineering News-Record 119, no. 27 (December 30, 1937): 32. Spaulding High School, Rochester, New Hampshire (1938–39)

Further reading Hobart Pillsbury, New Hampshire: Resources, Attractions and its People—A History 5 (Boston: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1927) Laura B. Driemeyer, Chase Roy Whitcher: A Monograph (Kensington: Preservation Company, 2008)

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