- Built
- 1928 (documented)
- Style
- Classical Revival Classical Revival
- MACRIS
- NWB.326 ↗
History
The Masonic Temple is built in the Neo-Classical style popular during the early 20th century. Typical features of this style, seen in the Masonic Temple, include the large portico and Ionic columns, and the use of trabeated rather than arched windows and doors.
In the first decades of the 20th century, the parcel of land at 31 Green Street was the site of Joseph B. Morse’s home. Morse was the publisher of the Newburyport Herald and the first president of the Newburyport Water Company.
In 1923, the Masonic Club purchased the house at 31 Green Street with plans to demolish it and erect a new Masonic Lodge.
Construction of the new building started in 1927. The architects were masons Ashton, Huntress, and Alter of Lawrence, Massachusetts. The contractor for the project was A.M. Lundberg of St. Louis, Missouri. The total cost of the project was $130,000, and the building was dedicated in March 1929.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984), contributing in the 1984 nomination · Downtown Overlay District (DOD) · Parcel 2-11 · 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 →
From the archive
4 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1900–1945
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.326