Episode Showcases the Restoration of the Historic McMath House
CAPE CHARLES, VA – Beginning December 28th, Cape Charles will be featured on the Magnolia Network series In with the Old. The episode follows Elise McMath as she takes on the restoration of her family home on Tazewell Avenue, a storied landmark that has captured imaginations for well over a century.
Built in 1910 for John Sylvester McMath Sr., a pharmacist from Onley and proprietor of the McMath Drug Store on Mason Avenue, the home became a lasting symbol of the family’s roots in Cape Charles. John and his wife Anne Eaton raised their three sons there, enduring profound hardships, including the loss of two sons—one who perished as a Japanese prisoner of war during World War II. Their surviving son, Jack McMath, continued the family’s legacy, raising his own family two blocks down and taking over the family business.
Jack’s son, Donald McMath, followed in his grandfather’s footsteps as a pharmacist and inherited the home in the 1980s. By then, Cape Charles was grappling with economic challenges brought on by the opening of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which redirected traffic and ended the ferry service that had sustained the town’s economy. Like many historic homes in Cape Charles, the house fell into disrepair.
After retiring in 2020, Donald began his lifelong dream to restore his family home, determined to return it to the condition he remembered from his childhood. Elise, who had been working alongside her father on the project, stepped in to see his vision through following his unexpected passing in April 2023.
The In with the Old episode picks up where Donald left off. Elise is joined by local contractor Scott Simms of Coastal Craftsman Builders and woodworker Kurt Lewin of Windsor Woodworks, both of whom were instrumental in bringing the house back to life.
“This restoration project is about more than just fixing up a building,” said Elise McMath. “It’s about preserving our family’s history, honoring my father, and celebrating the resilience of long-time residents of Cape Charles.”
About In with the Old:
In with the Old is a Magnolia Network series that follows the restoration of historic homes, highlighting the people and stories behind these properties and the effort required to restore them.
The episode is available for streaming on Max and Disney+ beginning December 28th. The broadcast television premiere date has not yet been determined.
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Donald, interesting to hear some of the Mcmath history. Best wishes to you and your family for a happy, healthy holiday and year ahead. Godspeed, Dick Shannonhouse
It is so nice to see someone, so much interest in a project to restore a house. You have a big impact on our Town. Thanks