Buck Street · No. 7–9 · NWB.211

7-9 Buck Street

Hiram Canney House

Built 1775–1830National Register district

Built: c. 1820
Style: Federal Federal
Neighborhood: Washington Street Residential District
MACRIS: NWB.211 ↗

History

This house is an exceptional Federal building in a city with numerous excellent examples of the style. This three-story brick dwelling with a hipped roof is three bays wide rather than the more common five bays. The overall composition of the house is impressive.

Although individual elements are pretty simple, they combine to make a fantastic whole. Features of this house worth noting include the recessed arches that surround the windows on the ground floor of the facade. The races have contrasting keystones and impost blocks. Other interesting features are the splayed window lintels, the dentil cornice, and the front entrance. The door is in the central bay. It is also within an arch. The semi-circular fanlight within the arch has simple yet elegant tracery.

Although this house was built in the early years of the nineteenth century, the earliest known owner is noted on the 1851 Map of Newburyport. Between 1851 and 1872, the house was owned by Hiram Canney. Canney was a blacksmith. His shop was located at 5 Bridge Road. Between 1872 and 1884, the property was sold by Mr. Canney, and in the latter year, it was owned by Mrs. Poor.

Planning work on this building?

Reviews that may apply

Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 51-46-A/C · 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. 1820, 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 →