- Built
- c. 1843
- Style
- Greek Revival Greek Revival
- Neighborhood
- Merrimack Shipbuilding District
- MACRIS
- NWB.285 ↗
History
This building is a representative example of the Greek Revival style as expressed in the domestic vernacular architecture of mid-nineteenth-century Newburyport. While the original door has been lost, the house retains characteristic Greek Revival elements, including substantial cornerboards and a pronounced cornice, heavier in proportion than those typical of the earlier Federal style.
This house was built in 1843 by Benjamin Dutton, a shipcarpenter active in Newburyport’s North End shipyards. Dutton is documented as living on Tyng Street in 1851 and on Pike Street in the South End by 1872. According to Robert Cheney’s History of Merrimac River Shipbuilding, Dutton partnered with Simon McKay in Amesbury and sailed to the James River in February 1861 to procure ship timber. He either owned or built vessels, including the Edward, Adrain, Berk Irmanium, and Orago. In February 1863, the Newburyport Herald reported that Dutton and McKay established a yard in Charlestown. Dutton likely returned to Newburyport later and resumed residence on Pike Street. The house functioned as a two-family dwelling for many years but has recently been restored to its original single-family form.
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 57-37 · 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. 1843, 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.285