High Street · No. 47 · NWB.3

47 High Street

Pierce-Knapp-Healy House

Built 1775–1830National Register district

Built: c. 1811
Style: Federal Federal
Neighborhood: High Street District
MACRIS: NWB.3 ↗

History

This house is one of the fine Federal mansions which has made High Street famous. Many such homes were built along High Street during the early 19th century. This is an excellent example of the style. The house has the typical Federal form, three stories, with decreasing window sizes on the upper floors.

The house has a symmetrical five-bay facade and a hipped roof, both characteristics of the Federal period. Particularly noteworthy features include the matching balustrade and fence, window caps, and entrance portico. The doorway is elegant in its detail and retains the original delicate tracery in the elliptical fanlight above. This is worth noting because so many of Newburyport’s fine doorways were updated during the Greek Revival or Victorian periods. The house also has an exceptional terraced garden that dates from the period of the construction of the house (c. 1815)

Capt. Benjamin Pierce built this house in 1811. At that time, the port of Newburyport was suffering a decline. Still, some mercantile interests continued to thrive for several decades. Pierce was undoubtedly involved in the trade that had made Newburyport so prosperous at the turn of the 19th century. Pierce died in 1831. At that time, the house passed into the hands of his daughter, Mrs. Joseph Knapp.

Joseph J. Knapp and his wife lived in this house until the turn of the 20th century. Knapp was listed as a dealer of flour and grain in 1851. His business was located on Ferry Wharf. In 1871, Knapp was registered in the city directory as a secretary of the Merchants Mutual Insurance Company. Knapp was also a merchant and importer. He backed the only factory that supplied the many vessels with the necessary flags. The firm occupied the building at the head of Ferry Wharf in 1865.

Knapp was also an incorporator of the Ocean National Bank, established on March 20, 1833, and he owned a part interest in several ships built in Newburyport. These included the “John Currier,” the “Merrimac,” the “Clarissa Currier,” and the “General Harrison.”

Today, this house is owned by James K. Healy, the great-great-grandson of its original builder.

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 33-19 · Zone HSRA

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. 1811, 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 →