History Comes Home at Purviance House

At long last the 1843 original oil paintings of two of Huntington’s earliest residents are back in town.  Thanks to the generosity of Samuel and Terri Purviance, the historic framed paintings of Harmon and Nancy Betts are on permanent display in the Beck Suite of the Purviance House Bed and Breakfast. The Betts family was part of a group of 22 individuals who migrated to Huntington from New Carlisle, Ohio in January 1841.  Upon arrival the Betts family purchased the historic Flint Springs Inn at the confluence of Flint Creek and the Little River.  As well the Betts and the rest of the travel group established the first Protestant church in Huntington — the First Baptist Church, still worshipping today.  Harmon Betts’ sister was Sally (Betts) Montgomery, who married Hugh Montgomery and they had several children, one of which was Elizabeth (Montgomery) Purviance, who married Samuel H. Purviance in 1843.  Samuel and Elizabeth had nine children, and in 1859 built the historic house, we call home — the Purviance House Bed and Breakfast.

Here are images of the oil paintings on display in the luxurious Beck Suite: