“It has character and history and it’s not just a plain vanilla box,” said attorney Ann Pepperman of the building, who is a McCormick partner.

Built in 1888, architect Eber Culver designed the Richardsonian-Romanesque style home with an Ashlar exterior. Culver is a noted local figure known for designing numerous Victorians in Williamsport including the Weightman Block, The Peter Herdic House at 407 W. Fourth St. and The Rowley House at 707 W. Fourth St. to name just a few.

It must be noted that a second home at 535 W.Fourth St. is called the William V. Emery House and is often confused with the Emery House.

According to the Taber Museum’s website, the 30-room Emery House was built as a wedding gift from William Emery for his wife Mary Lyon White Gamble Emery. William was a partner in the Emery Lumber Co. and a wealthy lumber baron. As for Mary, she left her own mark.

A Sun-Gazette article from September 2, 2023 proclaimed in a headline, “Mary Lyon White Gamble Emery: ‘One of the most Prominent Women in Williamsport.”

The article reported, “She was founder of the Lycoming Daughters of the American Revolution and the first regent of the organization. She qualified for DAR membership as her grandfather was Col. Hugh White, who had served on the Committee of Safety and as captain of Northumberland County Associators. He was promoted to colonel in 1778 and was the commissary to Washington’s starving army at Valley Forge.”

According to an anonymous and dateless history brief about the building, Emery house was later sold in 1906 to Seth T. Foresman.

“Seth T. Foresman, who ranks among the most extensively known businessmen to live in Williamsport. He was chosen delegate-at-large from the state of Pennsylvania to the National Democratic (gold standard) Convention. Mr. Foresman later became Mayor of Williamsport,” said the brief that now hangs on the law firm’s wall.

The brief also noted that Foresman was a meticulous steward of the home, taking it to “its height of Victorian luxury.”

Sadly, the Emery house fell from its luxurious standing, when it became an apartment building in 1923 and later an Army reserve center in the late 1940’s. According to McCormick’s attorneys, over 1,000 pounds of plaster had been blasted onto the oak floors during World War II, after reservists used the second floor as a target range.

Fortunately, this Millionaire Row manse was on the road to restoration when Dr. Francis Costello purchased it in 1956 for his medical practice on the first floor and his residence above. Extensive repairs were made including re-plastering the walls and the addition of a new heating system.

According to McCormick’s website, the building was then purchased by the law firm in 1974 from Costello’s estate. However, long before the purchase of the Emery House, the law firm was established in 1862 by Seth Thomas McCormick and his son Henry Clay McCormick.

“We are the longest continuing, existing law firm in this part of the state to our knowledge. If you look at the firm and its attorneys, they have been woven into the fabric of the community going back to the McCormicks,” said Mike Wiley, a partner with the firm.

According to the United States House of Representatives, Henry went on to become a U.S. Representative from 1887 – 1891. Then, he served as the commonwealth’s attorney general from 1895 – 1899.

One historic piece of furniture remains in the McCormick offices as a tribute to its founders.

“The desk in Ann Pepperman’s office was Seth’s,” said Dave Smith, a retired attorney from McCormick.

The law firm has served as a proactive steward of the Emery House as it celebrates 138 years in 2026.

“We worked extensively with HARB [Historical Architectural Review Board] to maintain the architectural integrity when we expanded it,” said Wiley.

The most recent expansion came in 2020, as a result of the practice’s growth.

“It is now handicapped accessible and we needed to keep up with technology,” said attorney Joanne Ludwikowski, a partner in the firm.

Despite the update to the building, the Emery House still retains its Victorian charm. Five fireplaces, a grand staircase with a two-story high chandelier, stained glass windows, cherry wainscoting and oak floors sit below a tower and gabled roof.

The grandiosity and beauty of the building complements its neighborhood’s penchant for looking like a postcard from the 1800s.

Wiley said, “We are in the heart of the historic district….I enjoy walking out the front door and up the front lawn to Trinity Church. You can look at Trinity and Park Home and feel like you are in the middle of something special.”