- Built
- c. 1810
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- Joppa District
- MACRIS
- NWB.177 ↗
- Formerly
- 32 Marlboro Street · 37 Hancock Street
History
This house is an excellent example of the Federal style that was so popular in Newburyport during the early years of the nineteenth century. The three story form with hipped roof and decreasing window size in the upper floors is typically Federal. The classically inspired window lintels are worthy of note as are the trabeated doorways, one of which has sidelights flanking the door and a fanlight with tracery above.
Although this building was probably built just after the turn of the nineteenth century, the earliest known owners were the Pearson family, proprietor of the house during the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1872 the property was owned by J. Gilman Pearson. Pearson was a farmer, This house remained in the Pearson family until the early twentieth century, In 1915 Edwin Pearson sold the property to Mildred Pearson.
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 27-36 · 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. 1810, 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 →
From the archive
2 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.177
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. Sanborn Map Company, Map. Jan, 1900.
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2025-07-22
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 29 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 29 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)