- Built
- 1845 (documented)
- Style
- Greek Revival Greek Revival
- Neighborhood
- Ocean Mills District
- MACRIS
- NWB.77 ↗
- Formerly
- 13–29 Munroe Street
History
This row of mill workers’ housing is significant because it is the only such row in Newburyport today. The buildings are functional in style with little or no regional architectural detail. The one attempt to ornament the block-long structure is the brickwork at the cornice, which forms a dentil molding. Otherwise, there is little elaboration of the two-story gable-roofed building.
This row of single-family dwellings was built in 1845-46 by Albert Currier for the Ocean Steam Mills. The company itself was incorporated on March 21, 1845, and the four-story brick factory that once stood on Monroe Street was begun in that year. The factory was also built by Currier.
Albert Currier was a well-known mason and contractor. He lived at 17 Kent Street and was involved in many of the large building projects in Newburyport during the mid-nineteenth century. At the age of 26, he was the contractor who built the Globe Steam Mills on Federal Street in 1846. He also built the new Mills on Federal Street in 1846. He built the new Town Hall in 1850, now City Hall, and many of the City’s schools. He also built the Simpson Annex to the Newburyport Public Library in 1881. Currier served as mayor of the City of Newburyport in 1859 and 1860.
Currier purchased the block of buildings from the Ocean Mills shortly after they were constructed. They housed people associated with the neighboring industry until the early twentieth century. After several decades of slow deterioration, the buildings were remodeled in the late 1970s and early 80’s.
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 53-85 · 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 1845, 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 →
From the archive
1 item · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1830–1860
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.77
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 6 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)