- Built
- c. 1750
- Style
- Central-chimney gambrel Colonial
- Neighborhood
- Washington Street Residential District
- MACRIS
- NWB.205 ↗
- Formerly
- 18 Boardman Street
History
This house is a good example of Georgian domestic architecture, and it was built in Newburyport during the eighteenth century. Several house features indicate an early eighteenth-century construction date, including the wide, low gambrel and the massive central chimney. The window sashes are double-hung with nine over six lights. The doorway has been altered and is currently ornamented by a simple surround.
The earliest known owner of this house was farmer Theodore A. Coffin in 1851. Before 1872, it was sold to George Gorwaiz, whose family owned the property until 1915. Below is the deed search that I have completed on the house.
Reverse Deed Search
11/17/1994: Bk 12824 Pg 364 | Wm H. & Janet B. Soupcoff | Michael J. Cebula
9/29/1988: Bk 9721 Pg 348 | Wm H. & Janet B. Soupcoff | Same
4/21/1981: Bk 6811 Pg 350 | Wm S. (aka Wm H.) | Wm H. & Janet B. Soupcoff
7/21/1980: Bk 6718 Pg 620 | Wm S. Soupcoff & Linda A. Miller | Wm S. Soupcoff
11/17/1975: Bk 6198 Pg 179 | Thos F. Pease, Kevin J. & Karla L. Field | Wm S. Soupcoff & Linda A. Miller
7/16/1973: Bk 5994 Pg 622 | Archie M. Sr & Elizabeth M. Janvrin, Archie M. Jr & Priscilla I. Janvrin | Kevin J. & Karla L. Field, Thos F. Pease
4/4/1968: Bk 5520 Pg 747 | Charles G. & Marsha Newton | Archie M. Janvrin Jr.
3/13/1967: Bk 5429 Pg 774 | Marilyn G. Janvrin | Archie M. Janvrin Jr.
7/28/1959: Bk 4585 Pg 14 | Archie M. & Elizabeth M. Janvrin | Archie M. Jr & Marilyn G. Janvrin
3/8/1964: Bk 5462 Pg 328 | Edward E. & Rita Redman | Charles & Marsha Newton
6/15/1961: Bk 4782 Pg 202 | Archie M. & Elizabeth M. Janvrin | Edward E. & Rita Redman
7/18/1952: Bk 3910 Pg 370 | Alex Graves & Edith L. Perkins | Archie M. & Elizabeth M. Janvrin
6/5/1947: Bk 3552 Pg 174 | Zelma I. Herlihy | Alex Graves & Edith L. Perkins
6/3/1947: Bk 3552 Pg 170 | Arthur G. & Grace Smith | Alex Graves Perkins
3/20/1915: Bk 2295 Pg 510 | Aroline C., Sarah C. Stanton, Albert M. Gorwaiz | Arthur G. & Grace Page Smith
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 50-31 · 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
10 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built Before 1775
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS) - NWB.205
- “For Sale” Newburyport Daily Herald, March 26, 1838, p. 4.
- “Fire!” Newburyport Daily Herald, February 26, 1845, p. 3.
- “Mr Theodore A Coffin,” Newburyport Daily Herald. Agust 19, 1850, p. 4.
- “Plan of Newburyport Mass. from an actual survey.” Map. 1851.
- “Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts.” Map. 1888, p. 2. 1900, p. 7. 1914, p. 11.
- “Assessor’s Plans of City of Newburyport, Mass.” Map. 1924, p. 50.
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 11 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)