If you know Newburyport’s famous High Street, you know the Ebenezer Hale House. What you might not know though is that there is something very impressive behind its definitive Federalist facade. Thanks to the vision and ingenuity of its current stewards, this historic rectory offers a remarkable addition that easily blends period relevance with modern sensibility.

Listed by Nancy Peterson of J Barrett & Company, this stunning residence is on the market for $2,449,900.

Complete with beautiful 19th century millwork, multiple wood-burning fireplaces, wide pine flooring and high ceilings, the front portion of this home looks a lot like the 1804 home it is. Classically designed, this main level opens into a marble foyer flanked by a formal living room and a simply elegant dining room. The recently added family room is stunning, with custom built-in feature walls, intricate moldings, glass sliders, and perfectly replicated wood floors for a seamless transition.

Stealing the show is the gorgeous gourmet kitchen with crisp white cabinetry, a six-burner Thermador stove with a subway tile backsplash, a huge granite island with prep sink, and a walk-in pantry. This floor is completed with a charming living room, a powder room, a practical laundry room and a well thought-out mudroom with easy access to and from the three-car garage.

Leading to the second floor, the original staircase contains a very special piece of this house’s history.

“In these very old houses, when a mortgage was paid off, a little hole was drilled in the banister and filled with the ashes of the burnt document, and then the hole was covered with a scrimshaw button,” says Peterson. “As you can imagine, it was very prestigious as it served as a symbol of what set you apart from your neighbours.”

On this second level, find a home office with private balcony, a large bedroom with full bathroom and a spectacular main wing consisting of a master bedroom and a gigantic two-room walk-in closet, a large living room with fireplace and a luxurious bathroom with double sinks, clawfoot tub and shower cubicle. The third floor offers endless possibilities with two bedrooms, a shared bathroom and a huge bonus room.

Other highlights on this spectacular listing include a herringbone-patterned brick patio, a stone garden house with fireplace and wood paneling, and a legal apartment/au pair/guest suite.

“It’s an incredibly rare opportunity,” says Peterson. “The Ebenezer Hale House is a perfect example of history and modernity living in perfect harmony.”

For more information on this exceptional property, or to schedule a viewing, call Nancy Peterson at 508-284-0883.

IN ONE LOOK :

 5 bedrooms

 5 full baths and 1 half bath

 7,244 square feet

 0.94 acres

 $2,449,900

LISTED BY:

 Nancy Peterson

 J Barrett & Company

 508-284-0883

 www.jbarrettrealty.com