- Built
- 1866 (documented)
- Style
- Vernacular Vernacular
- MACRIS
- NWB.414 ↗
History
This house is an interesting example of Victoria vernacular domestic architecture. The original owner and builder of the house was a carpenter and the architectural elements that he chose were clearly used to illustrate his ability in his trade. The notable features are the use of rusticated horizontal boards as the wall covering and the curved lintels over the first floor windows.
This house was built by John Dockhum in 1866. He lived here until at least 1884. This is probably the same Dockhum who had a shipyard at the foot of Broad Street. In 1855 Newburyport's first three masted schooner, the Edward Hill, was built in this yard. In 1884 Mr. Dockhum donated land on Charter Street for the Advent Christian Church. John McLean owned the house in 1924.
Transcribed from:
http://www.newburyporthistoricdistrict.org/35%20Broad%20Street%20-%20John%20Dockum%20House.pdf
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 53-9-A/C · 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 1866, 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 built 1860–1900
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.414
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2019-12-20