- Built
- c. 1790
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- High Street District
- MACRIS
- NWB.37 ↗
- Formerly
- 170–172 High Street
History
This Federal mansion was built as a double house with a six rather than a five-bay facade. The building is nonetheless symmetrical, with the three-story hipped roof characteristic of the Federal style. The small third-story windows and the simple cornice and window lintels are also features of the Federal style.
The original doors were replaced during the Greek Revival period, and sidelights and pilasters flank the present doorways with a sizeable oblong window light above. The entrance portico also dates from the Greek Revival period, as is evidenced by the heavy entablature supported by the Greek Doric order.
J. M. Howells says (The Architectural Heritage of the Merrimack, New York, 1941) that Edward S. Rand built this house for his two daughters. Rand was the owner of the house in 1851. He was a very prominent member of the community. His interests ranged from business to industry. He was a director for the Newburyport Hosiery Co. and the Newburyport Marine Insurance Company. He was also an incorporator of the Institution for Savings. Rand also served as a selectman in Newburyport between 1813 and 1815. He helped to organize the Putnam Free School and was elected to the Massachusetts General Court in 1815, 1816, 1819, 1822, and 1835. In 1816, he was one of those incorporated under the title of the Merrimack River Association, the purpose of which was to build locks and canals at the falls of the Merrimack.
By 1872, the house had been sold to Charles H. Coffin, then president of the First National Bank on State Street.
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 49-77 · 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. 1790, 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 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS) - NWB.37
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2024-02-26
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 10 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)