- Built
- c. 1897
- Style
- Victorian Victorian Eclectic
- MACRIS
- NWB.528 ↗
History
This two-story brick house is vernacular Victorian in style. Although built late in the nineteenth century, it features square granite lintels typically associated with the earlier Greek Revival style. The front porch and oriel window (an oriel window is a form of bay window that protrudes from the main wall of a building but does not reach the ground) are later additions, contributing to the building’s unique architectural character.
Form B (There are different forms from the Massachusetts Historical Commission for surveying and inventorying historic properties and places. Form B is for Buildings.) for this property listed its construction as circa 1875. Still, after seeing maps of the area, it doesn’t appear this building was constructed until, at the earliest, 1889. Annie P. Shaw, wife of Edward P. Shaw, sold this parcel of land to Laura E. Currier, wife of Herbert Currier, in 1897. According to the 1900, 1910, and 1920 census, Herbert was a beef salesman. His father, Joseph H. Currier, was a mason and contractor and very likely had a part in the construction of this home.
The house remained within the Currier family until 1943 when it was sold to Raymond Pillsbury.
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 62-17 · 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. 1897, 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 →
More photos
3 views · Biff Bouse
From the archive
7 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1860–1900
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.528
- Salemdeeds.com - Book 1521 Page 90-91.
- Salemdeeds.com - Woodland Estate - 1889 - Newburyport - Book 1244 Page 600
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. Sanborn Map Company, Oct, 1914. Map.
- “Death Today Of Mrs. Lara E. Currier.” Newburyport Daily News and Newburyport Herald, April 15th, 1929, p. 1.
- “Ex-Alderman Currier Dies After Illness of But Short Duration.” Newburyport Daily News and Newburyport Herald, December 20th, 1928. p. 5.