- Built
- c. 1780
- Style
- Late Georgian Georgian
- Neighborhood
- South End District
- MACRIS
- NWB.91 ↗
History
This house is an excellent example of the Georgian homes built by Newburyport’s mercantile class during the second half of the eighteenth century. The gambrel roof, favored for its greater attic headroom, was popular in Newburyport until 1800.
Important architectural features in this house are the classically inspired window caps and the doorway, which is flanked by Doric pilasters. This treatment of the front entrance is typically Georgian and is seen throughout the city. Essex Street is lined with similar homes.
The original owner and builder of this house are unknown. Stylistically, it can be dated between 1775 and 1800. The depth and width of the gambrel roof are indicative of this period of construction.
In 1851, this house was owned by Mrs. Sarah Kimball. Before 1872, she sold the property, and at that time, it was owned by Philip R. Piper. Piper is listed as a carpenter in the city directory for that year. He owned the house for several decades. In 1893, it was purchased by Alexander Kirkwood, a confectioner. Whether Kirkwood actually occupied the house is unknown.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984), contributing in the 1984 nomination · Downtown Overlay District (DOD) · Parcel 7-14 · Zone R3
Planning Board decides
Downtown, new construction, alteration or demolition of a historic building (individually listed or contributing in 1984) needs a DOD special permit, judged against the Secretary of the Interior's Standards; the Historical Commission sends an advisory report. Replacing windows, doors, signs, awnings or fences is reviewed by the Planning Office at staff level, with a window inventory; a new opening in a wall needs the Board. This lot is in an underlying R3 district, where alterations (not demolition) of a one- or two-family house are excluded from DOD review. The demolition delay ordinance does not apply downtown except to work the Zoning Administrator excludes from DOD review.
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 →
From the archive
3 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.91
- McIntyre, H. (Henry). “Plan of Newburyport, Mass. from an actual survey.” Map. 1851. Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center.
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. Sanborn Map Company, May 1888. Map. Retrieved from the Library of Congress.