Orange Street · No. 20 · NWB.136

20 Orange Street

Henry T. Moody House

Built 1860–1900National Register district

Built: c. 1891
Style: Queen Anne Queen Anne
Neighborhood: South End District
MACRIS: NWB.136 ↗

History

This house is one of Newburyport’s most ornate and extravagantly detailed Queen Anne homes.

The home’s design was by the Michigan architect D.S. Hopkins, as published in his 1891 book, “Houses and Cottages, Book No. 5, ‘Design No. 86.’” The house has a complex plan and irregular roof lines, often associated with the style. The turret is exceptional and is one of only a few in the city. The cast iron cresting at the roof’s ridge is an elegant feature. The carved panels ornamenting the turret walls resemble the terra cotta tiles seen in high-style Queen Anne buildings. The turned balusters and the small window lights surrounding a large central pane also feature the Queen Anne style.

This house was built about 1890 by Henry T. Moody of the Victor Manufacturing Company at 63 Water Street. Moody was a machinist for the firm that manufactured fireproof doors. Harry S. Moody, an artist, boarded here and was probably Moody’s son.

Henry Moody continued to live in this house until at least 1924. In 1931, Harry S. Moody sold the property to Eleanor A. Meinerth.

Subsequent owners of 20 Orange Street were George Rosefield, who purchased the house in 1947, and Stella Najanes, who acquired the property in 1949.

Planning work on this building?

Reviews that may apply

Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 15-68 · 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.
Zoning Ordinance §XXVIII-D.3 ↗
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1891, 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 →