- Built
- c. 1870
- Style
- Second Empire Second Empire
- Neighborhood
- James Steam Mill District · Joppa District
- MACRIS
- NWB.166 ↗
- Formerly
- 23 Bromfield Street
History
This week, I’ll focus on Newburyport’s “Joppa Historic District”. The area extending from South Street, now Bromfield Street, to Rolfe’s Lane, now Ocean Avenue, was settled by fishermen. It was and continues to be known as Joppa. The name Joppa is assumed to be taken from the Biblical city that was the chief seaport of Judea for centuries.
The hallmark of the Second Empire style is the Mansard Roof seen in this building. The variety of roof shingles is common to the style, and the Dormer Windows seen here occur in almost all Second Empire buildings. The brackets and cornerboards are vernacular in style yet contribute to the bold, three-dimensional effect that is characteristic of this style.
On September 3, 1879, Ambrose H. Wells purchased this parcel of land from Calvin E. Currier. Currier was a carpenter with a business at 71 Water Street. Currier was probably the original owner and builder of the house.
Ambrose H. Wells owned this house until 1918, when the property was conveyed to Julia Tingley, who sold it to Orin B. Gerrish.
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 26-65 · 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. 1870, 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
1 view · Biff Bouse
More built 1860–1900
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.166
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 27 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)