- Built
- c. 1775
- Style
- Colonial Colonial
- Neighborhood
- High Street District
- MACRIS
- NWB.61 ↗
History
This house is one of the earlier houses built on High Street. Stylistically the house could have been built as early as the second quarter of the eighteenth century.
The large central chimney, the nine lights over six in the double hung window sash and the heavy architrave surrounding the windows are all indicative of an early construction date. The entrance porch of the front door could easily date from the second quarter of this century. It may have been added to the house after the initial construction period.
The original owner and builder of this house are unknown. It certainly dates from the second or third quarter of the eighteenth century and is an excellent example of the large home of the period.
The earliest owner of this house that has been documented is Francis Lord. Lord lived in the house in 1872 and stayed there until at least 1884. Lord was a blacksmith and his blacksmith shop was located on the lot adjacent to the house.
I did find an article mentioning that either William H. Campbell or Albert Campbell lived in the home prior to Lord, but I wasn’t able to find any other evidence to their history with the home.
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 42-87 · 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.
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1775, 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 photos
3 views · Biff Bouse
From the archive
6 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.61
- “Personal.” Newburyport Daily Herald, July 20, 1875, p. 2.
- “For Sale” Newburyport Daily News, April 30, 1891, p. 4.
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2022-01-29