- Built
- c. 1750
- Style
- Central-chimney timber-framed Colonial
- Neighborhood
- South End District
- MACRIS
- NWB.146 ↗
- Formerly
- 16–18 Ship Street
History
This house was built in the eighteenth century and features several Georgian-style elements, as seen in Newburyport’s South End. The house has a symmetrical, five-bay facade and a simple cornice, cornerboards, and window surrounds. The house does retain its original massive center chimney.
The roof is also still covered with wooden shingles. This house is simple yet indicative of the dwellings built during the eighteenth-century settlement along the banks of the Merrimack.
This house was undoubtedly built by a merchant, mariner, or other person with close ties to the “water-side.” The South End of Newburyport was settled by those oriented toward the banks of the Merrimack. It remained a maritime settlement for over one hundred years.
By the middle of the nineteenth century, many residents of this area shifted their occupations to the industries developing in the city. Steam mills were built in several locations. Both the Globe Steam Mill and the James Steam Mill were built in the South End during the 1840s.
The earliest known owners of 20-22 Ship Street are John Porter and Mrs. Hannah Wyatt, proprietors in 1851. Porter was the treasurer of the Globe Mills and lived at 13 Federal Street. He may have owned one-half of this building as an investment. Mrs. Hannah Wyatt owned 20 Ship Street between 1851 and 1872.
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 19-98 · 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. 1750, 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
3 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built Before 1775
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.146
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 21 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)