Augusta family brings historic Perkins-Cullum house back to life
Things in Augusta were different in 1901. The cost of most homes was between $1500 to $3500. They were also smaller then, with some exceptions, such as the Perkins-Cullum House on Greene Street.
“When it was built, the Perkins-Cullum house was the talk of the town,” said Christy Beckham, who owns the home with her husband Michael. They should know, as they have studied all things Perkins and Cullum over the last few years.
Henry Perkins originally built the house in 1901. As the president of Perkins Manufacturing Company and Augusta Sash and Door, money was not a problem, and he chose to use it to build his dream home.
“The house was the most amazing house in Augusta when it was built but it was left untouched for 70 years, so we wanted to bring it back to life,” Beckham said. “The house is just so unique, but classic.”
Although the Beckhams anticipated the restoration would be challenging, Christy said they were still surprised by the size and scope of the project.
“The restoration process was exhausting and expensive,” she said, “Luckily, we worked closely with Historic Augusta, and they helped guide us through the process and helped us secure tax credits through the historic property program.”
The Beckhams started an Instagram page dedicated to the house and the restoration project when they began work in 2019. The site, which is still active, documents the labors, love and lengthy process involved in bringing the house back.
“To sum it up, it was brutal,” Christy said.
Today, the interior of the home is stunning and reflects the eclectic taste of Christy and her family. It retains the funkiness of a home built in 1901with updated and contemporary fixtures such as showers, a little bit of Christy’s low-key hippie aesthetic, and a significant sense of humor. The focal point of one of the rooms, for instance, is a large sign proclaiming Howdy.
This home also shows respect for the past. Every space has been painstakingly restored as close to the original as possible.
Walking up the grand stairway to the top floor, you will see the home’s latest project, a grand ballroom currently being restored. When finished, it will be a welcoming gathering space complete with a bar and, because it is Augusta, a golf simulator for Masters guests looking to get their swing on.
There are a few architectural anomalies and oddities. The house has a panic room and unique walkway connecting what was once a bedroom and nursery. Christy also said the basement is ‘the scariest place you have ever been.’ She also believes the house may be haunted.
Still, Christie said the goal is to make the Perkins-Cullum house a place where people feel comfortable.
“It’s somehow cozy and enormous.”