- Built
- c. 1800
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- South End District
- MACRIS
- NWB.101 ↗
History
This house is a fine example of the three-story Federal houses built by Newburyport’s wealthy mercantile class at the turn of the nineteenth century. The notable Federal features of this building are the hipped roof, decreasing window size in the upper stories, splayed window lintels, and simple cornice moulding.
The front entrance was altered during the mid-nineteenth century and now features the sidelight pilasters and bold entablature associated with the Greek Revival style.
In 1851, this house was owned by the estate of J. Follansbee. The Follansbee family was very active in the trade that helped drive Newburyport’s prosperity at the turn of the nineteenth century. The family owned numerous vessels built on the banks of the Merrimack River. It is quite possible that a member of the Follansbee clan was the original owner of the house.
In any case, this house was built when the South End was the home of those associated with mercantile and maritime interests.
The 1872 Map of the City of Newburyport notes that D. Felton owned this house in 1872. Dudley D. Felton was prominent in the community, serving as a vice-president of the Newburyport Y.M.C.A. when it was organized in 1876. In 1854, he was one of the incorporators of the Newburyport Five Cent Savings Bank.
In 1884, Felton was still the proprietor of this house.
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 16-90 · 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. 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. 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 →
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.101