Medwin Peek

Gouverneur Medwin Peek was an American architect who practiced in Central Florida in the middle years of the twentieth century.^[1]

Early Years and Education

Peek was born 26 Jan 1900, Palatka, Putnam County, Florida to Gouverneur Frank Peek and Rebecca Medwin Hyde. His father died the year after his birth.^[2] He and his mother lived with his maternal grandmother in DeLand thereafter. Peek graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Stetson University in 1920. He then studied at Harvard University (Master in Architecture, 1924); his senior thesis, being "A Casino at De Leon Springs."^[3] His Harvard educaiton included two years of study in Italy.^[4] After serving as artist of record on an archaeological team at Deir el Baḥri, in Egypt (1924–1925),^[5] Peek then returned to Florida to begin architectural practice in DeLand.^[6]

Practice in DeLand, Florida

Peek designed many landmark structures in DeLand, including the old City Hall and the civic band shell. Peek also created notable homes in DeLand's University Terrace neighborhood. The subdivision is contained by Amelia, Garfield, Oakdale and University Avenues. It was platted in late 1925 by Harry W. Prahl, who was a contractor from Erie, Pennsylvania. and who employeed Peek as consulting archtictect between 1926 and 1928. The development comprised the styles popular in Florida at the time, with Tudor and Colonial designs on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue and those with Mediterranean and Mission revival to the north.^[7]

Medwin Peek was a childood friend of Bert Fish and served as the architect of the Fish Memorial Hospitals. His address, at 714 N. Woodland Blvd., De Land, FL, is now part of the campus of First Presbyterian Church, DeLand.

Personal life

Peek married Allyene Foster (4 Aug. 1906 - 27 Aug. 1927), a native of Springfield, Vermont. Peek died on 25 Apr. 1979, in Deland, at the age of 79.^[8]

Selected Work

• 1924 The DeLand Hotel, now DeLand Artisan Inn, 215 S. Woodland Blvd., DeLand ^[9]
• 1926 DeLand City Hall, Florida Ave., between New York and Howry Aves.
• 1926 "Casa de Rosa", 321 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, University Terrace, DeLand^[10]
• 1926 Smith Hall, the John J. Peacock Residence, 717 N. Amelia Ave., University Terrace, DeLand^[11]
• 1926 Old DeLand Colored Hospital, Stone Street^[12]
• 1929, the DeLand Band Shell at Veterans Park, between Rich and Indiana (demolished in 1950)^[13]
• 1936 Commons Building, West end of Bert Fish Dr., (burned in 1954)
• 1945 Music Building, Stetson University, DeLand, Florida
• 1952 Fish Memorial Hospital, DeLand, Florida

References

1. ^ A photo of Medwin Peek may be seen in the Steson University Archives: http://archives.stetson.edu:8888/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/photograph&CISOPTR=2458&CISOBOX=1&REC=1
2. ^ Boddington Family History: http://www.boddington-family.org.uk/wc05/wc05_245.htm
3. ^ Harvard University. Reports of the President and the Treasurer of Harvard College; http://pds.lib.harvard.edu/pds/viewtext/2574586?op=t&n=6558&s=4
4. ^ The Delta of Sigma Nu fraternity, Volume 39, p. 308
5. ^ Excavations at Deir el Baḥri, by Herbert Eustis Winlock
6. ^ Orlando Sentinel, December 3, 2000
7. ^ Orlando Sentinel, December 3, 2000
8. ^ Boddington Family History: http://www.boddington-family.org.uk/wc05/wc05_245.htm
9. ^ Hotel - website:http://www.delandartisaninn.com/history.html
10. ^ "Casas and Castles" by Justin A. Nylander
11. ^ "Casas and Castles" by Justin A. Nylander
12. ^ African American Sites in Florida, by Kevin M. McCarthy, p 278
13. ^ DeLand, by Maggie Hall, Maggie Smith Hall, Michael Justin Holder, West Volusia Historical Society, page 41

Persondata
Name	Peek, Medwin
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1900
Place of birth
Date of death	1979
Place of death