Newburyport breaks from Newbury
By 1764, the port was so prosperous and densely settled that it broke off from Newbury to become Newburyport. Maritime trade fueled the city’s economy, sparking extraordinary building activity in the decades following the Revolution as evidenced by the stately and elegant Federal styles along High Street.

Hard Times
In 1811, a catastrophic fire leveled the downtown. That event, coupled with restrictive federal trading policies and embargoes implemented in response to the War of 1812 and the national financial panic of 1816, resulted in the city’s economic downfall. Ironically the 1811 fire led to stringent fire safety building codes, which helped in the preservation of the handsome brick downtown facades.

Newburyport Becomes a City
In 1851, the city annexed portions of Newbury and incorporated into a city. At the same time, technological innovations led to steam powered mills and provided a financial boost to the city. Many of the large red brick mill buildings scattered throughout the city were built in this time period. By the early twentieth century, Newburyport had gone into another decline and many remember the slumbering town of the 1950’s.In the 1970’s the city launched an extraordinary urban renewal project that transformed Newburyport’s decaying downtown and waterfront buildings into picturesque brick and cobblestone retail center that it is today. The downtown was restored, an attractive waterfront park and boardwalk were constructed and today the city is a handsome thriving New England port.

Past & Present
Many traces of the past can still be found and admired in the vibrant, modern city. Churches and cemeteries evoke remembrances of local personalities. The Tannery district, close to downtown is an extension of old steam mills and tanneries of the past. All over town you can imagine the locations of former ropewalks and clammers’ shacks. You can see shipyards, as well as the saltbox and Victorian houses, Federal mansions and colonial houses that are today’s cherished homes. Today Newburyport draws visitors from around New England and the world, who flock year-round to this seaport rich in history and beauty.

Enjoy a walking tour, by yourself or with a guide, around this beautiful and historic seaport.

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The Mighty Merrimack River
Walk along the waterfront in Newburyport, use a bit of imagination, and fancy yourself back in the 19^th century. Signs tell you that Captain Paul White built the first wharf in 1655. Observe the last few miles of the 177-mile long Merrimack River. Note that it was used for many purposes over the years, a conduit for food and transportation for the American Natives, a commercial port in the Colonial town, a protected harbor during the Revolution and a center for privateers and shipbuilders during the War of 1812. It was the source of water that powered the Industrial Revolution, and the place for launching ships for 100 years.

Newburyport Privateers
Although each of its services to the town was successful, the Merrimack gained special importance as the base of operations for Newburyport Privateers, privately owned vessels licensed to attack enemy shipping. Newburyport privateers captured hundreds of British vessels during the Revolution and the War of 1812, but suffered heavy losses themselves.

Trading in Newburyport
Continue along the waterfront to the Custom House, built in 1835, where vessels from all over the world registered their cargoes with the port surveyor. They brought cloth goods and hardware from Liverpool, England, wine from Madeira, Portugal, gunpowder from St Petersburg, molasses and sugar from Guadeloupe and other island in the West Indies. Ships built in Newburyport traveled the world with American goods bringing wealth and prestige to their owners. The town flourished because of the men and women, warehouses, boarding houses, craftsmen and many other businesses that served it.

Shipbuilding
To see a most important shipbuilding district you will want to head west along the banks of the river where ships were built well into the late 1800’s. The Currier yard built 97 ships as well as barks and schooners totaling over 80,000 tons. Up on High Street, mansions of other ship owners recall the names of major families who made and lost fortunes in the maritime trade; Cushing, Bartlett, Greenleaf, Marquand, Prince, Tracy and dozens of others. In 1844 Donald McKay introduced clipper ships and in 1883 the last square-rigged ship built in Massachusetts was launched in Newburyport.

The Coast Guard - Born in Newburyport
For over 100 years the Coast Guard, born in Newburyport, has plied the waters of the river, first in revenue cutters that enforced navigation laws. Now using modern equipment and expertise, they rescue and supervise boats and yachts that have difficulty getting through the “most dangerous river mouth on the East coast.” You can spot three lighthouses erected by the coast guard on Water Street and Plum Island.

Visit both the Custom House Maritime museum and the Cushing House Historic Museum and enjoy viewing the portraits of young ship captains, their ships and other artifacts.

Picture yourself in 19^th century Newburyport, and enjoy the heritage of the city in modern Newburyport…a seaport for all seasons.

 Cushing House Museum: 98 High Street 978-462-2681. This 21-room brick Federal home houses the Historical Society of Old Newbury. Visitors are treated to the treasures of the area’s rich historic past, encompassing every aspect of life from the countryside to the city and its merchants. There are guided tours, exhibits, special events, and lectures. Open May-October, Tue-Fri, 10am-4pm, Saturday, 11am-2pm.Last tour begins one hour before closing. Admission Charged. Visit their website www.newburyhist.com

Custom House Maritime Museum: 25 Water Street,  978-462-8681. Housed in the restored 1835 granite Custom House, the museum exhibits artifacts form Newburyport’s rich maritime history as a major shipbuilding center and seaport, sending ships to the Far East and around the world. Admission charged. Visit www.themaritimesociety.org

Old Hill Burying Ground, located adjacent to the Bartlett Mall, is a cemetery where many prominent and colorful citizens including Lord Timothy Dexter, Nathaniel Tracey, as well as sea captains and revolutionary war veterans are buried. A walk through the Oak Hill Cemetery, off State Street, is the gravesite of shipbuilder Donald McKay, Civil War veterans, past mayors and other prominent citizens.  

Coffin House: 14 High Road, Newbury 978-462-2634.  Built c.1678, this house chronicles the evolution of domestic life in rural New England. Located just over the city line, it is open seasonally and operated by Historic New England (formerly SPNEA). Visit www.historicnewengland.org
Spence-Peirce-Little Farm: 5 Little’s Lane, Newbury 978-462-2634. This 230-acre farm exemplifies the area’s rich farming heritage and features a unique c.1690 stone and brick manor house. Open seasonally and operated by Historic New England (formerly SPNEA). Visit www.historicnewengland.org

 Lowell’s Boat Shop: Point Shore, Amesbury 978-388-0162.Opened in 1793, this is the country’s oldest continuous boat building business in operation still producing dories. Managed by the Newburyport Maritime Society, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visit www.themaritimesociety.org