- Built
- c. 1810
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- Washington Street Residential District
- MACRIS
- NWB.213 ↗
- Formerly
- 18–20 Congress Street
History
This three-story Federal house with a hipped roof and a symmetrical five-bay facade features many features standard to Federal homes in Newburyport. The house’s form is typically Federal, as are the simple window lintels and cornice moulding. The front entrance of this house is quite interesting.
It was altered during the Greek Revival period and is quite elaborate for that period. The door and the panels around it are elaborately carved. The door is also flanked by fluted Greek pilasters supporting a bold Greek entablature above.
This house was constructed in the early years of the nineteenth century. The earliest owner has yet to be documented. In 1851, the house was owned by George Towle. Towle was a carpenter employed on Brown’s Wharf. Towle’s occupation might explain the elaborate nature of the house’s front entrance, which was probably altered during this period.
In 1872, the house was owned by Mrs. George Towle. She was listed in the 1871 City Directory as a dressmaker and tailor. The home at 26 Congress Street, built between 1851 and 1872, was also owned by Mrs. George Towle.
Members of the Towle family have been making silver in the City of Newburyport since 1857.
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 51-58 · 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. 1810, 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
2 views · Biff Bouse
From the archive
7 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.213
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 9 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)