High Street · No. 339 · NWB.58

339 High Street

William Hopkinson House

Built 1775–1830National Register district

Built: c. 1800
Style: Federal Federal
Neighborhood: High Street District
MACRIS: NWB.58 ↗

History

This home is less pretentious than many of the three-story Federal mansions along High Street. It is noteworthy, nonetheless, for its excellent proportions and architectural details. The fact that the house is two stories rather than three is unusual.

The house does have the hipped roof typical of the Federal style, however. The dentil cornice and classically inspired window lintels are fine features. The doorway, flanked by fluted pilasters and surmounted by a semi-circular fanlight and an entablature with dentils, is a lovely composition.

The original owner and builder of this house have not been documented. The house was probably built in the early nineteenth century.

In 1872, the house was owned by William Hopkinson. In 1886, Hopkinson was president of the monument association organized to erect a monument to the soldiers who fought in the Civil War. The movement was designed by Mrs. Alice Ruggles Kitson. The statue of a soldier returning from the war was presented to the city on July 4, 1902, by Walter B. Hopkinson. The statue stands to this day on Atkinson Common.

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 42-59 · Zone HSRB

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 ↗
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.
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 →