- Built
- c. 1928
- Style
- Foursquare Craftsman
History
This home was likely built in the late 1920s, and at the latest, circa 1928. It is a vernacular American Foursquare-style home with a pyramid hip roof and a central chimney. The facade of the building is divided by a string course, displaying wood clapboards on the first level and wood shingles on the second.
A porch with a matching pyramid hip roof extends over the entrance on the right bay of the building. It is supported by square pillars with simple millwork above the railing.
The first inhabitants appear to be Arthur W. Piper and his wife, Alice G. (Chapin). At the time of the 1930 census, Arthur and Alice were living alone after their daughter had married. The home’s value in 1930 was estimated at $6000, and the Census mentioned that they owned a radio set. Arthur was a bookkeeper in the Merchants National Bank.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dockery lived in the home soon after.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Outside the historic district and the two overlays · Parcel 40-43 · Zone R2B
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1928, 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. 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 →
From the archive
2 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1900–1945
Sources
- “Marriage intentions,” Newburyport Daily News, July 28, 1928, p. 1.
- “Arthur W. Piper, Bookkeeper at Bank, is Dead,” Newburyport Daily News, December 21, 1931, p. 1.
- "United States Census, 1930," Massachusetts > Essex > Newburyport > ED 222 > image 13 of 34.