High Street · No. 181 · NWB.2870

181 High Street

John & Lydia Balch House

Built 1860–1900National Register district

Built: c. 1870
Style: Italianate Italianate
Neighborhood: High Street District
MACRIS: NWB.2870 ↗

History

No data sheets or prior research were publicly available. After some quick searching, I found an article from 1895 mentioning the marriage of the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Balch at their home at 181 High Street. I saw John Hiram Balch and Lydia J.S. Coffin living at 181 High Street in the 1880 U.S. Census.

They were living in the home with their two children and a servant from Ireland. John is listed as a “Dealer in Carpets.” His store was located in the relatively new “Central Building,” now 41-45 Pleasant Street, which is also an Italianate-style building.

Planning work on this building?

Reviews that may apply

Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 37-2 · Zone HSRB

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.
Zoning Ordinance §XXVIII-D.3 ↗
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1870, 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.
City flowchart, June 2026 ↗

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 →