History
The Dalton house is the finest Georgian house in Newburyport. It rivals the finest Georgian domestic architecture in the United States. The building is two stories high with a slate gambrel roof. The facade is of rusticated wood, while the other sides are clapboarded.
Significant architectural features include the modillioned cornice and the five pedimented roof dormers. The house originally had a roof balustrade, which has been removed. The home’s interior has been altered to accommodate the Dalton Club. It does retain some excellent woodwork and paneling.
The house was built by Michael Dalton about 1747. Dalton was born in Hampton, New Hampshire, and came to Newbury to pursue a seafaring career. He became a master mariner. In 1735, he married, became a merchant, and shortly thereafter built this house. Michael Dalton owned a wharf and distillery and was involved in the import-export trade that prospered during the eighteenth century.
In 1764, Michael deeded the house to his son Tristram. Tristram had attended Harvard and later married the daughter of Marblehead’s wealthiest merchant. Tristram studied law and joined his father’s business. Upon his father’s death, Tristram Dalton inherited his father’s estate.
While Tristram Dalton owned this house, it was visited by many illustrious men. These included George Washington, John Quincy Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and Marquis de LaFayette.
Tristram Dalton and his wife lived in this house until 1792. At that time, it was sold to Moses Brown, another prominent Newburyport merchant. In 1827, the property was willed to William and Sarah Bannister. The property changed hands several times before it was purchased by the Dalton Club in 1897. The Dalton Club is a men’s club that continues to own and occupy the Dalton House.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984), contributing in the 1984 nomination · Downtown Overlay District (DOD) · Parcel 14-41 · Zone B2
Planning Board decides
Downtown, new construction, alteration or demolition of a historic building (individually listed or contributing in 1984) needs a DOD special permit, judged against the Secretary of the Interior's Standards; the Historical Commission sends an advisory report. Replacing windows, doors, signs, awnings or fences is reviewed by the Planning Office at staff level, with a window inventory; a new opening in a wall needs the Board. The demolition delay ordinance does not apply downtown except to work the Zoning Administrator excludes from DOD review.
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
2 views · Biff Bouse
Details
9 close-ups
From the archive
9 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built Before 1775
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.366
- Old Newburyport Houses, compiled by Albert Hale, W.B. Clarke Co., Boston, MA, 1912, p. 29-33.