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Photo: Biff Bouse

Boardman Street · No. 44 · NWB.209

44 Boardman Street

John H. Page House

Built 1830–1860National Register district
Built
c. 1844
Style
Greek Revival Greek Revival
Neighborhood
Washington Street Residential District
MACRIS
NWB.209 ↗
Formerly
28 Boardman Street

History

This house is a good example of the Greek Revival style as interpreted in Newburyport's vernacular architecture. The style is seen almost solely in the building's doorway which is flanked by sidelights and pilasters. There is a large oblong transom light as well as a bold entablature above the door.

It has been determined that John H. Page, the owner of this house in 1851, was also the builder and original owner of the house. Page was a house carpenter. His business was located at 50 Merrimac Street in 1851. Before 1872 Page moved his business to the rear of 114 Merrimac Street.

John H. Page left this house to Frances E. Piper when he died. She owned the house until 1916 when she sold it to Frederick Pierce.

Transcribed from:

http://www.newburyporthistoricdistrict.org/44%20Boardman%20Street.pdf

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 49-25 · 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. 1844, 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.209
  2. Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2020-01-16
  3. 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 11 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)