- Built
- c. 1815
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- South End District · Joppa District
- MACRIS
- NWB.168 ↗
- Formerly
- 42–44 Bromfield Street
History
This house is unique in Newburyport. Though not high style it has some fine Federal features. The splayed window lintels and the splayed lintels with simulated keystones are quite exceptional. The two story, pitch roofed form is also unusual in Newburyport although it is common to vernacular buildings of the period.
Brick domestic structures are unusual in this section of the city. This structure was apparently originally built as a mixed residential and commercial building. The Milk Street side of the structure had, at one time, a large window opening for a storefront.
Although this building was probably built during the first quarter of the nineteenth century, the earliest owners have yet to be documented.
On the 1851 map of Newburyport the building owner is noted as P. Dodge. Dodge is not listed in the city directory for that year.
In 1872 Jeremiah Allen was the owner and occupant of this building. Allen was a grocer. His business and residence were both located in this building, then 52 Milk Street.
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 21-18 · 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. 1815, 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 →
From the archive
1 item · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.168
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2020-04-14
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 26 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)