Strong Street · No. 9 · NWB.224

9 Strong Street

Joseph Atkins House

Built 1775–1830National Register district

Built: c. 1790–1803
Style: Georgian Georgian
Neighborhood: Washington Street Residential District
MACRIS: NWB.224 ↗

History

This house is clearly Georgian in style, although it was altered during the Greek Revival period. The two-story form with a hipped roof is relatively uncommon in Newburyport’s Georgian homes. The gambrel roof is far more common. This house has a symmetrical five-bay facade. The double-hung window sash has nine-over-six or six-over-six lights. The doorway is Greek Revival in style with sidelights and bold entablature.

Joseph Atkins built this house about 1730. Atkins was born in Sandwich, England, in 1680 and came to Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1724. His first wife came with him from England. She probably died shortly thereafter, as Atkins was remarried in 1730. His second wife was the widow of Francis Wainwright of Boston and the daughter of Joseph Dudley, the province's governor. The house at 9 Strong Street was built for Mary, his new bride.

In 1738, Joseph Atkins, with several other men, was granted liberty to build a wharf at the end of Market Street. Atkins later built a distillery and several warehouses on the waterfront.

Joseph Atkins was a great benefactor of St. Paul’s Church. He donated the land upon which the original church was built in 1741. Atkins died in 1773 and was buried in St. Paul’s churchyard.

Before 1851, this house was purchased by James M. Cooper. Cooper was a house carpenter. This property was owned by Cooper and his heirs until 1919, when Florence M. Cooper sold the house to Carl S. Walker.

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 50-8 · 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.
Zoning Ordinance §XXVIII ↗
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1790–1803, 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.
City flowchart, June 2026 ↗

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 →