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Newburyport is a city with a long and rich history. A city where historic preservation has been the key to economic revitalization. A city whose foundation is based on maritime trade. A city who values its historic sites.
History
Newburyport
has a long and rich history. Located on the south bank of the Merrimack River at the mouth of
the Atlantic Ocean, the area was originally inhabited by the Pawtucket
Indians, and was later settled in the 1630’s by European immigrants who founded
the city of Newbury. The small port of Newbury was quickly settled and became a fishing
and trading settlement with the rest of Newbury turning to agricultural
pursuits.
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.
Maritime
History
The
Mighty Merrimack River
Walk
along the waterfront in Newburyport, use a bit of imagination, and fancy
yourself back in the 19th 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 19th century Newburyport, and enjoy the heritage of
the city in modern Newburyport…a seaport for all seasons.
Historic
Sites Include
 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.customhousemaritimemuseum.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.
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