- Built
- c. 1800
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- High Street District
- MACRIS
- NWB.48 ↗
- Formerly
- 226 High Street
History
This house is a good example of the homes built along High Street by Newburyport’s mercantile class in the early 19th century. The house is 3 stories tall, with a hipped roof and small square windows on the third story.
These are all characteristic of the Federal style, as are the delicate modillioned cornice and the classically inspired window lintels. The main entrance was altered during the Greek Revival period. The doorway is flanked by sidelights and pilasters. It is surmounted by the heavy entablature and oblong window light characteristic of the Greek Revival style. The house has a fine hanging staircase.
Levi Swain purchased this parcel of land from Moses Cheney in 1800. Shortly thereafter, he built this house. Levi Swain owned the house for a very short time before selling it to Jonathan Chase in 1805. The property was again sold in 1810 to Dr. John Bond.
In 1817, David Wood purchased the house at 238 High Street. There were several David Woods in Newburyport. It is not known whether Wood was Capt. David Wood, maker of Newburyport’s finest clocks, several of which are in the Historical Society of Old Newbury today.
In 1855, Captain John Bogardus, a native of Russia, purchased this house. Little is known of this man, yet he was evidently a man of the sea. Bogardus owned the property until his death.
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 53-72 · 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. 1800, 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
4 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.48
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 6 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)