- Built
- c. 1855
- Style
- Italianate Italianate
- MACRIS
- NWB.2662 ↗
History
The buildings presently standing on Fair Street below Liberty Street Date from 1840 to 1890. Most were built between 1840 and 1851. The houses built in that period are all similar in their interpretations of the Greek Revival.
The dwellings on the “odd” side of Fair Street range from Greek Revival multi-family residences to large Italianate single-family dwellings. Though vernacular in style, the houses along Fair Street provide an excellent nineteenth-century streetscape. It remains relatively unchanged since the turn of the twentieth century.
The MACRIS data sheet from 1980 streetscape states that George W. “Trefethan” (Trefethen 1822-1904) lived at 17 Fair Street in 1872, and “Jere” R. Ireland lived at 15 Fair Street. Trefethen and Ireland were partners in a furniture business at 24 Market Square.
After researching George Trefethen’s history, I found the 1880 US Census, which shows Trefethen at No. 15, and Ireland at No. 17. So, I believe the MACRIS report was incorrect, and 17 Fair Street was Jeremiah Ireland’s home.
Before I found out that Trefethen most likely lived next door, I came across an interesting story. It appears Trefethen was charged with arson at the furniture store in 1891, shortly after taking over the business from Ireland. I read through several articles on the case, but the last one I found ended with a hung jury, so I didn’t learn his fate. Although he appears to have moved back to his home state of Maine by 1900, just a few years before his death.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 16-75-A/B · Zone R2
Zoning Board of Appeals may decide
In the DCOD. Whether removing more than 25% of the exterior walls needs a DCOD special permit depends on the building’s status in the 1984 National Register nomination, which this site has not matched for this lot yet; the Office of Planning and Development keeps the list.
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1855, 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 →
More photos
1 view · Biff Bouse
From the archive
3 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1830–1860
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.AH, NWB.2662
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. Sanborn Map Company, May 1888. Map. Retrieved from the Library of Congress.
- “United States Census, 1880,” database with images, FamilySearch, Massachusetts > Essex > Newburyport > ED 225 > image 3 of 51
- “The Trefethen Case” - Newburyport Daily News, Friday, May 22, 1891, p. 1.