- Built
- c. 1800
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- High Street District
- MACRIS
- NWB.64 ↗
History
This three story Federal period home has some excellent features of that style. The form of the building is the same as many of the homes built in the Newburyport during the early years of the nineteenth century. The entrance portico is exceptional, however, and is apparently original to the house.
It is pedimented and is supported by fluted Doric columns. The classically inspired window lintels and the modillioned cornice are also noteworthy features.
The rear portion of this house may have been an earlier structure incorporated into the more pretentious Federal home. The doorway on the Eastern side of the house possibly dates from the mid-eighteenth century.
This federal home was built by Robert Dodge, a chaisemaker in the Belleville parish of Newbury. Dodge was of considerable fortune as is evidenced by the fine architectural detail in his home.
Dodge participated in community affairs and in 1806 and 1808 he was appointed one of the fire-wards for Engine No. 1. In 1800 he made a donation for the burial ground next to St. Anne's Chapel. In 1814 he was one of those that signed a petition to the General Court in opposition to the restrictive trade regulations which had been passed by the Congress.
By the early 1900's the house had passed into the family of Charles Cutting. Cutting and his heirs owned the property until 1953. In that year it was sold and converted into a nursing home named Cutting Manor Nursing Home. In 1971 the house was converted back into a single family residence.
Transcribed from:
http://www.newburyporthistoricdistrict.org/357%20High%20Street%20-%20Dodge-Cutting%20House.pdf
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 42-123 · 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. 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 photos
2 views · Biff Bouse
From the archive
1 item · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.64
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2020-02-03