67 Bromfield Street

William Kidder House

Built 1830–1860National Register district

Built: c. 1855
Style: Greek Revival Greek Revival
Neighborhood: Joppa District · Victorian Residential District
MACRIS: NWB.197 ↗

History

This house is Greek Revival in style. It is exceptional for the City of Newburyport because of its Greek portico with colossal Doric pillars. It is one of the most fully developed temple front facades in Newburyport. The house is two and a half stories tall, with a pitched roof facing the street, creating a pediment.

The facade of the house is flush boarded, while the sides are clad in clapboards. The front entrance is located in the Northeastern bay of the three-bay facade. It is flanked by sidelights and surmounted by an ample oblong window light. The doorway surround is very simple, consisting of flat boards with a simple hood mould.

The earliest documented owner of this house is William Kidder, who is noted as the proprietor on the 1872 Map of Newburyport. Kidder was a machinist, probably working in one of the local textile mills or shoe factories. It is quite possible that Kidder was the original owner of the house. Charles L. Kidder, mariner, was also in residence in this house at the time.

At his death, William Kidder left this property to his sole heir, Adelaide Bray. She owned the house until 1923, when it was sold to Edward and Irene Ayers.

Planning work on this building?

Reviews that may apply

Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 24-56-A · 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.
Zoning Ordinance §XXVIII-D.3 ↗
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 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.
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 →