- Built
- c. 1850
- Style
- Italianate Italianate
- Neighborhood
- South End District
- MACRIS
- NWB.112 ↗
- Formerly
- 36 Lime Street
History
This one and one half story house with gable roof is similar to many of the house built in the North End of Newburyport during the middle of the nineteenth century. These house were built for the millworkers. There are few of these houses in the South End.
This particular example is noteworthy, not only because of its location, but because it has more architectural ornament than many others. The doorway, cornice, and bay window all have brackets inspired by the popular Italianate styles. The moulding behind the brackets is reflective of the Greek Revival style which remained popular into the 1880’s. The bay window is of interest because the windows have arched surrounds and shutters that reflect these arches.
In 1851, Matthew Currier was the owner of the house at 38 Lime Street. The house was probably built several years earlier and it is quite possible that Currier was the original owner of the building.
Matthew Currier was a shoemaker. His shop was located nearby at 32 Lime Street. In 1851, the house itself was 34 Lime Street.
It was during this period that the textile and shoemaking industries began to prosper in the city of Newburyport. Shoemaking was a cottage-industry that developed into a major manufacturing business between 1860 and 1880. Currier undoubtedly prospered as is evidenced by his relatively up-to-date home.
In 1869, this house was sold to Isaac Poor. Poor was a grocer and his store was at 93 Water Street. Hannah Poor, Isaac’s widow, conveyed the house to her soon, Isaac Poor, Jr. who owned the property until 1930. At that time the house was sold to Moses Stevens.
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 19-38 · 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 →
More photos
1 view · Biff Bouse
Details
1 close-up
More built 1830–1860
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.112
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2020-03-14
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 21 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)