- Built
- c. 1850
- Style
- Italianate Italianate
- Neighborhood
- South End District
- MACRIS
- NWB.122 ↗
- Formerly
- 58 Middle Street
History
Architecturally, this building is worth noting because it is the only such brick Italianate home in Newburyport. Other Italianate residences in the city are of wood. Significant architectural features include the circular bay in the building’s facade, the overhanging eaves, the Italianate portico at the front entrance, and the Italianate window lintels. The house was initially painted beige, with dark brown trim, until recently.
There is an Italianate cast-iron fence still in place in front of this house.
In 1851, this house was owned by Eben P. Goodwin. Goodwin was probably the original owner of the house. He was a partner in the firm of Clannin and Goodwin, sailmakers, located on Wood’s Wharf.
Goodwin’s firm was responsible for making the sails for many of the ships built on the banks of the Merrimack River. These included the schooner “Envoy” built in 1863. Goodwin was in business until at least 1868.
Before 1872, the house at 70 Middle Street was sold to John R. Stanwood of A. Stanwood and Company is located at 19 Liberty Street. This was a soap-and-candle-making concern. Stanwood was also a part-owner of the ship “Amazonian,” built in Newburyport.
In 1884, the house was owned by Mr. Rogers, and by 1924, it had been conveyed to Ellen Barrett. The house stayed in the Barret family until recently.
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 16-38 · 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. 1850, 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
2 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1830–1860
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.122
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 21 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)