Merrimac Street · No. 225–227 · NWB.253
225-227 Merrimac Street
- Built
- c. 1750
- Style
- Greek Revival Colonial
- Neighborhood
- Merrimack Shipbuilding District
- MACRIS
- NWB.253 ↗
- Formerly
- 169 and 169½ Merrimac Street
History
This two story house with pitched roof and symmetrical five bay facade is a good example of the vernacular domestic architecture built in Newburyport during the eighteenth century. Noteworthy features of
the house include a large central chimney. Classically inspired window lintels and the front entrance which has been altered. Today the doorway is flanked by sidelights and pilasters supporting a bold entablature
above. This is characteristic of the Greek Revivai stylerpopular during the mid-nineteenth century.
This land was owned by Richard Kent during the mid-eighteenth century. At the turn of the nineteenth century the prooerty was owned by Samuel-Pilsbury. Pilsbury had married Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Kent in 1763. It is quite possible that the land was given to Pilsbury at that time and that the house was built shortllz thereafter. Samuel Pilsbury was a boatbuilder. He sold the house to Hovey, mariner, in 1800.
Between 1838 and 1871 this property was owned by the Merrill family.
In 1851 Henry Merrill was in residence. He was a wood dealer with a business at 174 Merrimac Street.
In 1871 Lizzie and John L. Merrill sold this house to Phebe and David Atkinson. The Atkinson's owned the house for several decades.
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 54-126 · Zone R2
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 c. 1750, 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 →
More built Before 1775
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.253
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2020-02-20
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 7 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)