- Built
- 1855 (documented)
- Style
- Greek Revival Greek Revival
- MACRIS
- NWB.500 ↗
History
This two and a half story house with hipped roof, cupola and roof dormers is quite unusual. This may be attributed to the fact that it was owned by a shipbuilder. The building is clearly Greek Revival in style. This is evidenced by the building's bold cornice and cornerboards as well as by the front entrance.
The door is flanked by sidelights with a large transom light above. There is an entrance porch detailed by a heady entablature supported by fluted Ionic columns. The cupola has the same entablature as does the cornice. The window lintels in this house are not typical of the Greek Revival period. They are more characteristic of the Georgian period. This is also true of the hipped roof.
By chance, George Jackman was born in 1802 on Broadway in New York City (his parents were visiting there at the time when his mother went into labor). He lived the rest of his life in Newburyport and was known for two things in particular: he was one of the most successful shipbuilders in Newburyport history, and he was mayor of Newburyport throughout the Civil War. “About 1855 or ’56 Geo. W. Jackman bought the field that [Humphrey] Webster owned in 1812 [on corner of Woodland and High], and built on it his mansion which with its fine garden, became an attractive feature of the North End.” Info from:
http://map.marybakerart.com
http://www.newburyporthistoricdistrict.org/51%20Woodland%20Street%20-%20G.%20W.%20Jackman%20House.pdf
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 59-62-A/D · Zone R2
Zoning Board of Appeals may decide
In the DCOD. Whether removing more than 25% of the exterior walls needs a DCOD special permit depends on the building’s status in the 1984 National Register nomination, which this site has not matched for this lot yet; the Office of Planning and Development keeps the list.
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built 1855, 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. 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 built 1830–1860
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.500
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2020-01-12