- Built
- c. 1896
- Style
- Georgian Revival Colonial Revival
- Neighborhood
- High Street District
- MACRIS
- NWB.66 ↗
- Also
- 363 High Street
History
This building is a good example of the Georgian Revival in Newburyport. It has several features typical of the style, including a rectangular plan, a hipped roof, and a Palladian window. Initially, the flat deck at the roof’s ridge was surrounded by a balustrade.
This, too, is a typical feature of the Georgian Revival, as are roof dormers. Another significant alteration has been made to this structure. Initially, the front porch area was surrounded simply by a baluster. The doorway had a classical portico, an unusual feature in the Georgian Revival, but one that did occur.
In 1886, Eliphalet Griffin and several other Newburyport citizens organized a society that was incorporated as the Newburyport Society for the Relief of Aged Men. In 1890, Griffin contributed a sum of money and a lot of land in the vicinity of the “Three Roads” to the Society. In 1896, he built the foundation for a brick building at his own expense, which was completed several years later by the trustees.
In 1902, four elderly men were admitted to the home. The building has contributed to the care of Newburyport’s elderly residents since that date.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 42-113 · Zone HSRB
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 c. 1896, 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 →
From the archive
3 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1860–1900
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.66