- Built
- c. 1805
- Style
- Late Georgian Georgian
- Neighborhood
- Merrimack Shipbuilding District
- MACRIS
- NWB.273 ↗
- Formerly
- 274 Merrimac Street
History
This two-story house with a pitched roof and symmetrical, five-bay facade is an excellent example of the vernacular architecture built in Newburyport around the turn of the nineteenth century. Noteworthy features of the house include a large central chimney, simple Federal cornice moulding, and unusual, eared window lintels. The doorway is detailed but straightforward with pilasters and a simple entablature characteristic of the period.
This parcel of land was purchased from George Burroughs by Jacob Whitmore in 1793. In 1801, when Whitmore sold the property to Levi Carr, no house was mentioned in the deed of sale. Carr was probably the original owner of this house.
In 1851, the owner of this house was Levi Carr, who was probably the son of the house’s builder. He was a ship carpenter who was employed by John Currier, Jr., as a foreman for many years. The Currier shipyard was located on the riverbanks adjacent to this house. Carr was also part-owner of Carr’s Island.
In 1872, Levi Carr still owned this house. Also in residence at that time was Charles H. Carr, also a ship carpenter. Levi Carr died in 1879 at the age of eighty. At that time, the house was willed to his heirs.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 65-9-A · Zone WMD
Zoning Board of Appeals may decide
In the DCOD. Whether removing more than 25% of the exterior walls needs a DCOD special permit depends on the building’s status in the 1984 National Register nomination, which this site has not matched for this lot yet; the Office of Planning and Development keeps the list.
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1805, 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. 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) ↗
Holder of the preservation restriction consents
The state inventory records a preservation restriction on this building. Whatever the recorded restriction covers, exterior and sometimes interior and site, needs the holder’s consent, separately from every other review. The City lists the restrictions it holds and links each document.
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
1 item · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.273
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 3b (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)