- Built
- c. 1850
- Style
- Greek Revival Greek Revival
- Neighborhood
- Ocean Mills District
- MACRIS
- NWB.69 ↗
History
This house is a typical example of the vernacular Greek Revival built during the 1850s and 1860s. The house has a gable roof facing the street, reminiscent of a Greek pediment. Other details are limited and straightforward to the cornice, cornerboards, and doorway with flanking sidelights and pilasters, with an ample oblong light above the door. This treatment of the doorway is typically Greek Revival.
This house is typical of the dwellings built for the management of the factories and mills in Newburyport. The cotton mills were established in the 1840s, and housing was built over the next 20 years. Homes for the mill foremen were after single-family homes in the Greek Revival style.
This house was built around 1850 and was later owned by Foster W. Smith. The home may have been built as an investment. Mr. Smith might have been associated with the Ocean Mills.
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 53-51 · 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. 1850, 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 - NWB.69