- Built
- c. 1850
- Style
- Late Federalist/Greek Revival Greek Revival
- Neighborhood
- Ocean Mills District
- MACRIS
- NWB.75 ↗
- Formerly
- 32 Kent Street
History
This house is a vernacular example of the Greek Revival style. The type of building was built in great numbers in Newburyport between 1840 and 1860. The original elements that remain in this example are the gable roof with gable end facing the street with continuous cornice suggestive of a Greek pediment.
The use of notched horizontal boards within the pediment gives it additional emphasis. The cornerboards in the form of pilaster are also typical. The doorway of this house has been altered.
This house was probably built shortly after the incorporation of the Ocean Steam Mills in 1845. In 1851 the house was owned by William Keyes. Keyes was one of the overseers for the weaving room of the Ocean Steam Mills. This relatively substantial home was of the type generally built by those in charge of the Mill and its employees. The employees themselves lived in the more modest cottages or in the tenements many of which took in boarders.
By 1872 this house had been conveyed to Edward S. Stickney. Stickney was a peddler and probably operated his business directly out of his home.
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 54-1 · 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. 1850, 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 1830–1860
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.75
- McIntyre, H. (Henry). "Plan of Newburyport Mass. from an actual survey." Map. 1851.
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2020-04-10
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 9 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)