- Built
- c. 1838
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- Washington Street Residential District
- MACRIS
- NWB.220 ↗
- Formerly
- 18 and 18½ Olive Street
History
This two-story brick house with a hipped roof is an excellent example of early nineteenth-century domestic architecture. The overall form of the building is Federal, as are the splayed brick window lintels. The cornice is extremely simple and is also inspired by the Federal style.
The front entrance is typically Greek Revival and could be a later addition to the structure. The door is flanked by sidelights and surmounted by an oblong transom light above. There are also squared granite lintels above this and other doorways.
The earliest owner of this house was Moody Pearson. Pearson was a lumber merchant with a business on Brown’s Wharf at the foot of Green Street. Pearson was also briefly involved in textile manufacturing. He was one of the incorporators of the Newburyport Hosiery Manufacturing Company, which manufactured hosiery and every description of “warp framework. “ The company was in business for only five years.
In 1866, the Society for the Relief of Aged Females purchased this house. The Society refurbished the property and operated a home for older women until 1892 when the home moved to 75 High 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 52-37 · 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. 1838, 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 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.220
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 11 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)