NEWBURYPORT — Standing tall, sturdy and elegant for 200 years, Cushing House is a testament to Newburyport's history and grandeur.
The Historical Society of Old Newbury, the guardian of the 98 High St. Federalist mansion, enjoys few things more than sharing the Cushing House's wonder with the public.
"The house was built in 1808, and it's a National Historic Landmark," said Nancy Thurlow of the Historical Society. "It's the only National Historic Landmark in Newburyport."
Today, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., it will host an open house.
A tour of the 21 beautifully furnished period rooms is a visit to the golden age of Newburyport seafaring and the era's craftsmanship. From the artists who painted the portraits hanging on the walls to the sea captains' foreign treasures on exhibit to furniture fashioned by local craftsmen to its five grandfather clocks built by David Wood, the most famous and most prolific clockmaker in Newburyport, a tour of the Cushing House Museum is more than a chance to see beautiful antiques.
Constructed by shipbuilder and sea captain William Hunt, the brick three-story building must have been an amazing undertaking. Upon Hunt's death, the house was purchased from his widow by another sea captain, John Newmarsh Cushing. Sea captains and shipbuilders played a large role in the region's architectural splendor, for they were the ones with the money to build the mansions still lining many local roads.
The house remained in the Cushing family for 138 years. Its last Cushing — Margaret Cushing — was born in the house in 1855 and died in it in 1955.
"Margaret Cushing didn't give the house to the Historical Society," said 14-year veteran tour guide Beverly Hill. "But she told her heirs — her nieces and nephews — that was her wish. So they gave the house to the Historical Society."
As magnificent as the house appears now, it had its challenges when first turned over to the society. There was a lot to do.
"I think Margaret didn't do much to the house because she wanted to keep it as much as possible as it was," Thurlow said. "It only got indoor plumbing in about 1945, and it didn't have electricity when she died. The Historical Society had to bring in electricity."
The Historical Society turned the outdoor privy into the garden shed and gift shop it is today.
Thanks to many other families and benefactors in the Newburyport, Newbury, Byfield and West Newbury area, other treasures were given to the Historical Society and are now the museum's exquisite exhibit of period furniture, appointments and artistry at the house.
Its most famous resident, Caleb Cushing, the eldest son of John Newmarsh Cushing, led an amazing political life. Encouraged to do well at his studies by his father in hopes of attaining success without having to go sea, Caleb did his father proud. An attorney, he was repeatedly elected to local and state office, as well as to Congress.
Finding favor on the national level, he was appointed by three presidents — John Tyler, Franklin Pierce and Ulysses S. Grant — to national office and diplomatic missions on behalf of his country. But as fancy as his titles became, Caleb Cushing always returned to Newburyport, as its first mayor in 1851 and to continue his role as a state legislator.
But should one think the Cushings were always aloof aristocrats, stories of their fruit trees bring home little snippets of the human side of the locally famous family. Cushing House garden tour guide Camila Connolly tells just such a story concerning a newly planted blood peach tree.
"The Cushing family had blood peach trees and sold their blood peaches with the conditions you had to return all the (peach) pits to them," Connolly said. "The Cushings didn't want to share their blood peaches."
For those who'd like to have a piece of the Cushing House of their own, the Historical Society sells plants from the museum's gardens. This year, a specially developed, 200th anniversary hosta has made its debut. For $100 per plant, Hosta Cushing House 1808 can bring beauty to other gardens, its proceeds going to maintain the lush gardens at the Cushing House Museum.
Membership in the Historical Society of Old Newbury allows special access to the Cushing House. It costs $25 per person or $40 per family, Thurlow said. Applications are online at the society's Web site , www.newburyhist.org.
"Or come for a wonderful tour of the Cushing House Museum," Thurlow said. "And pick up an application right here."
Historical Society of Old Newbury upcoming events
July 30 — Open House, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cushing House Museum.
Aug. 9 — 200th birthday party for Cushing House, Members Garden Party, 6:30 to 8 :30 p.m., Cushing House Museum.
Sept. 13 — Appraisal Day, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $8 per item, 3/$20, Cushing House Museum.
Sept. 18 — Back to school, child performers and prodigies: Speaker Peter Benes, 7 p.m. at the Unitarian church on Pleasant Street., Newburyport.
Nov. 8 — Goods and Services Auction, Nicholson Hall, Harris Street, Newburyport
