- Built
- c. 1750
- Style
- Georgian Georgian
- Neighborhood
- South End District
- MACRIS
- NWB.120 ↗
History
This house’s overall form and character indicate an early eighteenth-century construction date. The fenestration, though quite regular, is not entirely symmetrical. The brick addition at the rear of the building is early.
The front entrance was altered during the mid-nineteenth century and is in the Greek Revival style. Interior elements include a fine fireplace wall, raised field paneling, and gunstock posts. The core of this building is a first-period house.
Maps of Newburyport in 1851 and 1872 indicate that this building was oriented on the site, with the facade facing the point at which Fair and Middle Street meet. This might suggest that this house was built before Middle Street was laid out as it is today. A two-roadway was first laid out from State Street to Federal Street in 1724. 1782, it was called Cross Street, and by 1793, it was named Middle Street. If this house were built before the street was laid out, it would be a first-period house.
Between 1872 and 1884, the house was owned by Thomas C. Huse and his heirs. Huse was a hatter.
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 16-86 · 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. 1750, 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
1 view · Biff Bouse
From the archive
2 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built Before 1775
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.120
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. May, 1888.
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2023-10-06