- Built
- c. 1750
- Style
- Georgian Georgian
- Neighborhood
- Washington Street Residential District
- MACRIS
- NWB.206 ↗
- Formerly
- 20 Boardman Street (A and B)
History
This house is a fine example of the two-story, gambrel-roofed homes built in Newburyport during the eighteenth century. The gambrel roof was very popular during this period because of the extra headroom it afforded. This house has several noteworthy features.
These include the double-hung window sash with nine-over-six lights and the fine Georgian doorway. The door is flanked by Doric pilasters supporting an entablature with dentil moulding above.
The original owner of this property is not known. An 1851 Map of Newburyport notes that T. Brierly was the owner at that time. Brierly is not listed in the City Directory for that year.
Before 1871, this house was sold to Charles, Joseph, and George Gorwaiz. The house remained in the Gorwaiz family until 1914, when Albert Gorwaiz sold the house to Mary A. Doyle.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 49-30-A/B · 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.
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. 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
1 view · Biff Bouse
From the archive
3 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built Before 1775
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.206
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 11 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)