- Built
- c. 1860
- Style
- Greek Revival Greek Revival
- Neighborhood
- Merrimack Shipbuilding District
- MACRIS
- NWB.239 ↗
- Formerly
- 8 Broad Street
History
This house is a late example of the Greek Revival style in vernacular architecture. Key features include a street-facing gable suggesting a Greek pediment, a heavy cornice fascia, and a doorway framed by an entablature and applied pilasters. The cornice returns slightly but does not complete the pediment. The doorway is trabeated with narrow sidelights and an oblong transom above. The dormer is a later addition.
It exemplifies many houses built in Newburyport’s North End during the second and third quarters of the nineteenth century, reflecting the enduring influence of Greek Revival design in local vernacular architecture.
Built after 1851, this house was owned by W. McComber in 1872. Before 1884, A. W. Jackman acquired the property. Jackman belonged to one of Newburyport’s prominent shipbuilding families, which was active for over half a century and continued in the trade into the early twentieth century. His final work was the motor cruiser Whiz, built for E. L. Stevens at the foot of Titcomb Street in 1920. Jackman retained ownership of the house until the second quarter of the twentieth century.
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 57-8 · 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.
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1860, 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 built 1830–1860
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS), NWB.239
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 7 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)