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Photo: Biff Bouse

Parsons Street · No. 3 · NWB.351

3 Parsons Street

Stephen Bartlett House

Built 1830–1860National Register district
Built
c. 1855
Style
Greek Revival Greek Revival
MACRIS
NWB.351 ↗

History

The MACRIS system lists this house, circa 1845, but the home is not on the 1851 map. Judging by the home's style, it was likely built soon after 1851.

The earliest homeowner I can find for this home is Stephen Bartlett (1819-1908). Stephen was a carpenter and owned the house as early as 1880. According to US Census information, sometime between 1850 and 1860, Stephen Bartlett came to own $1,700 in Real Estate. It could likely be when he built this house, although that has not been documented. It appears his daughter, Charlotte Cross Bartlett (1846-1913), lived in the home up until her death.

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 21-47 · Zone R2

  1. 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.

    Zoning Ordinance §XXVIII ↗

  2. Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay

    Built c. 1855, 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) ↗

  3. 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 →

Sources

  1. Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.351
  2. McIntyre, H. (Henry). “Plan of Newburyport, Mass. from an actual survey.” Map. 1851.
  3. “United States Census, 1880,” database with images, FamilySearch, Massachusetts > Essex > Newburyport > ED 224 > image 25 of 49;
  4. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. Sanborn Map Company, Aug 1894. Map.
  5. “Degree Work by Past Grands” Newburyport Daily News, Friday, February 27, 1903, p. 1.
  6. “Prattle, Presage, People” Newburyport Daily News, Saturday, October 3, 1903, p. 4.
  7. “Funerals Yesterday” Newburyport Daily News, Tuesday, December 15, 1908, p. 7.
  8. “A Still Alarm” Newburyport Daily News, Wednesday, March 17, 1909, p. 2.
  9. “Deaths” Newburyport Daily News, Friday, July 11, 1913, p. 6.