3 Oakland Street

Timothy Osgood House

Built 1775–1830National Register district

Built: c. 1800
Style: Federal Federal
Neighborhood: Merrimack Shipbuilding District
MACRIS: NWB.278 ↗

History

This house is one of the earliest on Oakland Street, which was developed in the mid-nineteenth century to accommodate the shipbuilding industry. The shallow-pitched roof is relatively common in vernacular houses built in Newburyport at the turn of the nineteenth century. The house’s details are straightforward.

The most notable feature is the doorway, which was undoubtedly of an earlier design but was updated during the Greek Revival period. Today, the doorway features Doric pilasters and a wide entablature fascia above it. This is a typical Greek Revival doorway seen throughout Newburyport.

Timothy Osgood built this house at the turn of the nineteenth century. He lived in the house until 1815, when he sold it to Samuel Osgood. It is quite possible that the family was involved in the shipping industry, which was so crucial to Newburyport’s economy at the turn of the nineteenth century. Samuel Osgood eventually sold the property to John Pearson. Pearson held shares in several of the vessels built in Newburyport.

In 1837, the house was sold to True Choate, a ship’s carpenter. Choate was just one of the many men associated with shipbuilding who made their homes on Oakland Street in the mid-nineteenth century. The Choate family had an excellent reputation for ship joinery. The firm of Ezekiel and True Choate also owned an interest in several vessels built in the shipyard of John J. Currier, Jr. The house remained in the Choate family until 1893, when the estate was sold to Mr. Albert C. Cheney.

Planning work on this building?

Reviews that may apply

Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 57-42 · 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. 1800, 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 →