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Photo: Biff Bouse

Broad Street · No. 37 · NWB.415

37 Broad Street

William Noyes House

Built 1860–1900National Register district
Built
c. 1875
Style
Victorian Gothic Gothic Revival
MACRIS
NWB.415 ↗

History

This single-family residence was built between 1875 and 1884 and exhibits several features of the Victorian Gothic style. The bold carving at the roof gable’s end and the heavily carved console brackets at the base of the gable are all characteristics of the style. The window lintels are slightly perpendicular and have a simple design gouged into them.

The house was probably built for William H. Noyes. Noyes owned the property in 1884. He probably held the property as an investment, since his residence was on Chestnut Street, adjacent to the Noyes Comb factory where he worked.

After the turn of the 20th century, this house was owned by Mr. Leroy Edwards. Edwards was a machinist with the Towle Manufacturing Company on Merrimac Street.

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 53-10 · Zone R2

  1. 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.

    Zoning Ordinance §XXVIII ↗

  2. Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay

    Built c. 1875, 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) ↗

  3. 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.

    City flowchart, June 2026 ↗

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 →

Sources

  1. Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.415