Shenk-Emmett House — c.1891

Client: Historic Erie Restorations
Location: 446 West 6th St., Erie, Pennsylvania
Dates: Original building — 1890/1930; Renovation — under construction

This project involves extensive masonry restoration and cleaning, roof repair, window replacement, painting and landscaping. Significant interior renovation work and modifications were required in addition to major structural and foundation repair. While respecting the original design of the building, a new stairway was created to [replace the original which had been damaged beyond repair or removed or to add a way of egress]. Additional work included painting, extensive woodwork restoration and repair, replacement of all flooring and finishes, improved accessibility, and all new electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and sprinkler system.

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This Queen Anne-style house was built in 1890 for a prominent Erie attorney, John William Galbraith (1860–1926), and his wife, Mary Henning (1862–1924).

In 1904, they sold the house to Charles E. Shenk (1863–1934) and his wife, Anna E. Skelly (1867–1951). Shenk was an executive in his father’s construction business, Henry Shenk Co.

Herman Leroy Rutgers Emmet (1889–1968) and his wife, Helen Auerbach (1892–1968), purchased the property from Shenk in 1929. They altered the facade of the house to a Colonial Revival-style in 1930. Emmet was general manager of the General Electric Company’s Erie plant, which was in operation from 1907 until 2019. A Yale University graduate, Emmet had a distinguished career at GE from 1912 until his retirement in 1950, including 21 years leading the Erie GE plant during its peak period. Emmet Drive in Lawrence Park is named in his honor. The Emmets were both very active in the Erie community. In 1929, he was instrumental in building the Edison fountain in East Perry Square in honor of the 50th anniversary of the incandescent light bulb. He was president of the Erie Community Chest, now United Way, and a long-time board member and vice president of the national Community Chest.

The Emmets sold the house in 1942, after which it was converted into apartments. A large apartment addition was added to the back of the house in 1946. The property was acquired by the Historic Erie Restorations in 2019.

This house has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a significant building in the West Sixth Street Historic District since 1984.