- Built
- c. 1865
- Style
- Greek Revival Greek Revival
- MACRIS
- NWB.487 ↗
- Formerly
- 24 Tyng Street
History
This house is a vernacular version of the architectural styles popular during the second half of the 19th century. The details are few and simple, consisting of cornerboards and cornice reminiscent of the late Greek Revival period.
The porch with turned supporting members is typically Victorian, as is the use of the pediment rather unexpectedly. There are many similar homes in Newburyport, as the shipbuilding, shoe and textile industries flourished during the period allowing the construction of housing throughout the city.
This house was built by Daniel Bridges. Bridges was a ship’s carpenter. It is quite interesting to note that many of the homes along Tyng Street and the other streets running between Merrimac Street and High Street were built by people involved in the shipbuilding on the banks of the Merrimack River.
At one time, Daniel and Enoch Bridges planked the ship “Augusta” in fifteen days, which was a record.
In 1884, Paul A. Merrrill owned the house. He was the owner of the Schooner, “Clara Forrester,” built in 1868. He also served as vice-president of the Y.M.C.A. in 1905. Merrill presented a fountain to the City of Newburyport in 1897. It was placed at the corner of High Street and Toppan’s Lane probably on the land of what is now the Newburyport High School.
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 57-30 · 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. 1865, 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 1860–1900
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.487
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2020-04-01
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 5 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)