Preservation Week 2025-May 16 – 18

The theme this year is Old Houses, New Stories. A select group of authors will share their stories and sign copies of their books. The weekend kicks off with the Newburyport Preservation Trust’s Annual Meeting. The meeting includes a review of the year’s activities by Preservation Trust board members. The meeting is for Newburyport Preservation Trust Members only. If you’d like to become a member before the meeting apply for membership on the NPT Join Us page.

Immediately following the annual meeting and open to the public will be a presentation by Lee McColgan, a preservation carpenter who chronicled the restoration of his 1702 house in his book A House Restored. Lee will talk about his trials, tribulations, and Newburyport connections at the keynote address on Friday, May 16 at 7 PM at the Newburyport Senior Center. Sponsored by the Institution for Savings.

The events on Saturday and Sunday are also open to the public. Please register in advance.

On Saturday, May 17 from 10:00-11:00 PM at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Stacy Grinsfelder, co-author of The Case for Historic Windows and host of the popular podcast True Tales From Old Houses,  shares compelling, data-driven evidence for preserving and upgrading original wood windows. The presentation will cover the comparative lifespan of historic and replacement windows, the environmental and economic impact of manufacturing and installing modern windows, and strategies for improving energy efficiency of older windows without compromising their integrity. Sponsored by Window Woman of New England.

Once again on Saturday May 17 at 11:30 AM there will be a bicycle tour of the architectural wonders of Newburyport. On this informative pedal-powered spin through the residential side streets of Newburyport, we’ll stop, see, and learn about styles of domestic architecture that span three centuries. Along the way we’ll be among older houses with the “embedded energy” that informs the truism: “The greenest house is one that’s already built.” Meet at Cushing Park on Washington St.

On Saturday May 17 from 2:00-3:00 PM at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center,, author and architectural historian Scott T. Hanson,  has an enlightening presentation on historic preservation and sustainability. As often quoted by former National Trust for Historic Preservation president Richard Moe’s  -The Greenest Building is the One that Already Exists.” Scott will have copies of his comprehensive guide Restoring Your Historic House available for signing and purchase. Sponsored by Amesbury Industrial Supply.

On Sunday May 17 from 12:30 – 2:30 PM visit and tour the inside of Newburyport’s 1822 Powder House on Low St. Built in the turbulent aftermath of the War of 1812,the Powder House stored gunpowder, flints, musket balls, and camp kettles used by the local militia to defend the community. In 2003 it was restored inside and out. Come see this unique historic building. If you have never seen Newburyport’s restored Powder House now is your chance! Musket firing, maneuver demonstrations and tours on Sunday May 18 from 12:30 to 2:30 at 57 Low Street right across from the Nock/ Molin Schools.  When you go up the hill meet Captain Steve Crosby and members of the Acton Minutemen. Enjoy the demonstrations and learn about the Acton Minutemen and their heroic stand against the British forces in Concord some 250 years ago. Today’s Acton Minutemen are reenactors who portray the originals who arrived first at the North Bridge in Concord on April 19, 1775 . This was the opening battle of the American Revolution which lasted for 8 years and ended with the independence of the United States! After the demonstrations have a free tour of Newburyport’s restored Powder House and learn about it’s unique role in helping our country grow. Sponsored by St Jean’s Credit Union.

The weekend concludes with a gala celebration and Preservation Awards on Sunday May 17 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Custom House Maritime Museum. The annual presentation of awards for local preservation efforts given out by the Newburyport Preservation Trust. Categories include Adaptive Reuse and New Building Compatibility, Historic Landscape Restoration, Interior Restoration, Exterior Restoration, Historic Preservation Craftsmanship, and Preservation Advocacy.