- Built
- c. 1791
- Style
- Georgian Georgian
- Neighborhood
- High Street District
- MACRIS
- NWB.63 ↗
History
The Orlando Merrill House is typically Georgian in its style and form. The house’s architectural features are simple. The influence of the classically inspired style can be seen in the cornice moulding, window lintels, corner boards, and the overall symmetry of the facade.
The doorway is the house’s most noteworthy feature. The entrance is an enclosed portico. The portico itself is pedimented, and the entablature is supported by Roman Doric pilasters.
The Orlando Merrill House was built in 1791 by one of Newburyport’s important shipbuilders. Merrill was very active in the shipbuilding industry on the banks of the Merrimack River.
In 1798, when American shipping was threatened by foreign privateers during the war between France and Britain, Merrill and his brothers, Jonathan and Nathan, were contracted to build a naval vessel. Ninety days from the contract date, the U.S. Brig “Pickering” was completed and launched from Merrill’s yard in what was then part of Newbury, now Newburyport.
In 1813, Orlando Merrill, with Ralph Cross, built the fourteen-gun U.S. Sloop of War “Wasp” in the Merrill yard near Moggaridge’s Point. The vessel was launched on September 18, 1813.
Merrill is also credited with inventing the water-line model in 1794. This is the model from which working plans are, and still are, taken to build ships. In 1853, Merrill presented his original ship model to the New York Historical Society.
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 68-124 · 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. 1791, 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 photos
1 view · Biff Bouse
Details
1 close-up
From the archive
1 item · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.63