Kent Street · No. 8 · NWB.525

8 Kent Street

John Caldwell House

Built 1860–1900National Register district

Built: c. 1872
Style: Second Empire Second Empire
Neighborhood: Ocean Mills District
MACRIS: NWB.525 ↗

History

This two-and-a-half-story house is in the Second Empire style. The hallmark of the style is the high mansard roof with a curb around the visible slopes. The dormer windows seen in this building are also characteristic of the style.

Other noteworthy features of this building include the brackets and dentil moulding in the cornice, as well as the bracketed entrance porch. The Second Empire style, while it does occur in Newburyport, is not one of the more common styles.

This house was probably built by Albert Currier about 1872. Currier sold the house to John Caldwell, of the Caldwell rum distillery on Merrimac Street. Albert Currier was a prominent mason in the city and a one-time mayor. He speculated in real estate in the North End and owned several properties as investments.

The Caldwell family was also prominent in Newburyport. Their distillery was one of the city’s major industries for decades. This house remained in the Caldwell family until 1921, when it was sold to B. Chorebanian.

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 54-13 · 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.
Zoning Ordinance §XXVIII ↗
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1872, 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.
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 →