The house was completed in 1916 by Edward Postell Porcher and his wife Byrnina Peck Porcher, who designed the house. For many years there was a two story home and packing house to the north, about where the Civic Center is located now, and a long dock out into the river for loading and unloading fruit onto steamboats. Mr. Porcher established Deerfield Groves on Merritt Island in the 1880’s, and he was the first grower to wash, inspect and grade his produce. He is also credited with inventing a fruit stamping machine as well as a dolly for lifting the packed boxes of citrus. He was one of the founders of the City of Cocoa and the Florid Citrus Commission. The Porcher’s were active participants in the community of Merritt Island, and Mrs. Porcher was the first Postmistress of Merritt Island. After their deaths in the 1930’s, their daughter, Mytice Andrews and her family lived in the home until 1947.
The home went through a number of changes. First, the house became a restaurant, “The Chip Ahoy,” then it was sold to the City of Cocoa and used as a City Hall. Next, it was used by the Brevard Achievement Center for young men, and named Aquaris Hall.
The Porcher house is now under the direction and management of the City of Cocoa, The Brevard Museum and the Brevard Arts Council. The Porcher house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The house is open to the community as a place for special meetings, weddings, anniversaries, parties, reunions and other functions. There is a nominal fee to help with upkeep. The sun porch to the rear overlooks the Riverfront Park and the Indian River. For those who don’t remember, the Indian River came right up to the back yard of the house.
Through all the changes and renovations to the interior of this splendid home, the exterior remains the same. We hope the generations to come will recognize the importance of preserving such buildings and homes that have survived this long.