- Built
- c. 1815
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- South End District
- MACRIS
- NWB.118 ↗
History
This three-story brick Federal building resembles many of the brick buildings erected in Market Square after the devastating 1811 fire. It has a three-story Federal form with a pitched roof. The architectural elements in this building are simple.
It is quite possible that the original function of this building was, in part, utilitarian. The doorway and windows are in the Federal style. The doorway is pedimented and is surmounted by a semi-circular fanlight. The pediment could be a later modification.
The earliest owners of this building have yet to be documented. The actual construction date is unknown, but it was probably early in the nineteenth century.
In 1851, this house was owned by Atkinson Stanwood. Stanwood lived here and had a soap and candle factory at 22 Liberty Street, A. Stanwood and Company. Standwood was also a part-owner of several ships built in Newburyport.
In 1872, the building was owned by Daniel C. Rogers. Rogers was in partnership with John R. Stanwood. Atkinson Stanwood had moved to Boston before this date. Rogers lived at 54 Middle Street, now 64-66 Middle Street. It is quite possible that part of this building was used for the soap and candle business.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Downtown Overlay District (DOD) · Parcel 9-10-A/D · Zone B2
Planning Board decides
Downtown, new construction, alteration or demolition of a historic building (individually listed or contributing in 1984) needs a DOD special permit, judged against the Secretary of the Interior's Standards; the Historical Commission sends an advisory report. Replacing windows, doors, signs, awnings or fences is reviewed by the Planning Office at staff level, with a window inventory; a new opening in a wall needs the Board. The demolition delay ordinance does not apply downtown except to work the Zoning Administrator excludes from DOD review.
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 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.118
- McIntyre, H. (Henry). “Plan of Newburyport, Mass., from an actual survey.” Map. 1851. Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center.
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. Sanborn Map Company. May 1888 Map.
- “Loam. 50 loads of Good Loam, for sale” Newburyport Daily Herald, Advertisement, May 13, 1868, p. 3.