- Built
- 1876 (documented)
- Style
- Greek Revival/Victorian Eclectic Victorian Eclectic
- MACRIS
- NWB.463 ↗
- Formerly
- 182 Merrimac Street
History
This three story brick building with pitched roof is an excellent example of a Victorian utilitarian structure. The architectural detail is simple yet the overall composition of the building is impressive. Noteworthy elements of the building’s design include the brick dentil cornice, windows with segmental arches lintels and the squared granite lintels which mark the original doorways.
This building was built in 1876 as the warehouse of the Caldwell Distillery. The distillery itself, a wooden structure has been destroyed and the brick warehouse is the only surviving structures of what was once one of Newburyport’s largest industries.
The Caldwell family was distilling rum as early as 1851 when there was a distillery on Caldwell’s Wharf. The rum industry was important to the economy of Newburyport until the passage of the Volsted Act.
The Caldwell family owned this property until 1924 when it was purchased by John T. Leary. The Leary family has made extensive renovations to the building and presently the structures serves as a liquor store.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984), contributing in the 1984 nomination · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 52-66 · Zone WMD
Zoning Board of Appeals decides
Listed as contributing in 1984, so removing more than 25% of its exterior walls, counted cumulatively since 2014 and including walls enclosed by an addition or openings filled in, needs a DCOD special permit; the Board may grant one only if the building retains no substantial remaining market value or reasonable use. The Historical Commission sends an advisory report. Replacing siding, or windows and doors in their openings, does not count.
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built 1876, so 75 or more years old: removing more than 25% of its exterior walls, changing the roofline (pitch, towers, cupolas, anything projecting above the roof), moving it, or adding a dormer that misses the setback and pitch rules is "demolition" under the demolition delay ordinance. The Commission holds a hearing within 30 days and may impose a delay of up to 18 months. In the DCOD the wall test goes to the Zoning Board instead; the Commission keeps roofline, roof pitch and dormer work. Parts of the building documented as younger than 75 years are excluded on a written determination by the Zoning Administrator.
Code of Ordinances ch. 5 art. X, §§5-307–5-308 (June 2026) ↗
Zoning Administrator first stop
Every project starts with a zoning determination from the Zoning Administrator, which says which of these reviews apply and whether the work also needs zoning relief (a special permit for a non-conformity, or a variance). Fees, forms and filing deadlines are on the City’s site.
Not legal advice, not an official City publication, and not the position of the Historical Commission or any board. Says what the ordinances say as of September 30, 2026; the Zoning Administrator decides what applies. Boundaries: Merrimack Valley Planning Commission / City of Newburyport GIS (MIMAP); 1984 status from the National Register nomination's district data sheets. City's quick guide to the DCOD and demolition delay ↗ · Do I need approval? Project by project →
From the archive
5 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1860–1900
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.463
- "Caldwell's Distillery, Newburyport, Mass., established 1790." Photograph. Circa 1880. The Snow Photograph Collection, Museum of Old Newbury.
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. Sanborn Map Company, May, 1888. Map.
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2021-06-18
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 9 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)