High Street · No. 40 · NWB.2

40 High Street

Hale-Dewint House

Built 1860–1900National Register district

Built: c. 1870
Style: Second Empire Second Empire
Neighborhood: High Street District
MACRIS: NWB.2 ↗

History

This is a vernacular example of the Second Empire style. The mansard roof and dormers are hallmarks of the style. These, along with the projecting central pavilion, help create the bold three-dimensional effect of the Second Empire style. The doorway has been altered. The door itself is flanked by sidelights and surmounted by an elliptical fanlight in the Federal style. This is a relatively recent alteration to the building.

In 1869, Alfred Hale purchased 460 rods of land at the corner of High and Broomfield Streets from William Graves for $2,700.00. Graves was a merchant with a business on Ferry Wharf. Hale was a farmer then living at 47 Marlboro Street. Hale moved into his newly built house at 40 High Street in 1872. He also built a small barn on the corner of the property.

In 1871, Hale is registered in the city directory as an expressman or wagon driver. By 1880, Hale was a merchant and had opened a shop at 9 Market Square. In 1881, Hale sold the house, closed his business, and moved to Colorado Springs.

In 1950, the house was sold to Mrs. Clara Dewint. She was slightly eccentric and a lover of birds. Clara Savigart DeWindt (1893-1976) purchased March’s Hill from James Hartnett and soon after deeded it to the city in May of 1954. Mr. Hartnett had been seeking a zoning variance for the property to open a grocery market in the South End.

Mrs. DeWindt’s intention in giving the land to the city, as she made clear at a public hearing, was to ensure that Newburyport and Newbury children, as generations before them had, could use March’s Hill as a recreation area and that residents could continue to enjoy the beautiful sunsets from its prospect, as she did each evening.

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 24-71 · 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.
Zoning Ordinance §XXVIII ↗
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.
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 →