- Built
- c. 1845
- Style
- Greek Revival Greek Revival
- Neighborhood
- South End District
- MACRIS
- NWB.307 ↗
- Formerly
- 76 Federal Street
History
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE This two-story Greek Revival house is typical of the homes built in Newburyport during the mid-nineteenth century. The overall form of the building is characteristic of the style.
The gable of the pitched door faces the street, and the cornice continues across the facade, suggesting a pediment. The cornerboards and doorway are also typical of the style. It is flanked by sidelights and Doric pilasters and is surmounted by an ample oblong light above.
This house was built about 1845. In 1851, it was owned by R. Plumer. There are two Richard Plumers listed in the city directory of that year. The first was a dry goods merchant living at 73 Federal Street. The second, Richard Plumer, was a house carpenter living on Lime Street. This house was likely owned by the elder Plumer, but it could have been built by the younger. In any case, Mrs. Samuel S. Plumer was living in the house in 1851. Samuel Plumer had served as selectman in 1825. The Plumer family owned several properties in Newburyport.
Before 1872, the house was conveyed to Captain Prescott Spalding. Captain George Spalding and Rufus Spalding were listed as boarders in that year. By 1884, the property had been transferred to George P. Spalding.
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 15-23 · 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. 1845, 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 →
From the archive
1 item · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1830–1860
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.307
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 20 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)