Stand on the corner of State and High Streets and look at the yellow building on the far corner (formerly the American Legion Building). It is a good example of a Victorian building with a mansard roof. A mansard roof has a double pitch on all four sides. The lower slope is very steep, and the upper slope is almost flat and, therefore, barely visible. The roof is often covered with patterned slate, like this one.

Cross State Street and continue along High Street toward the Mall (pronounced locally to rhyme with "Sal"). The next buildings on your right are a group of four attached houses, typical 19th century working class houses in simplified Greek Revival style.

Across the street are a variety of 19th century Victorian houses. The numerous porches, bays, and towers show an interest in more intricate interior planning - lots of little odd-shaped rooms.

Note the granite marker Sewall Place set in the corner of the next house. This was also formerly the Woodworth Funeral Home in the 20th century. Charles Hodge built the house 160 years ago, but before that, the land was owned by Sewalls. This house and the next house are typical of late Federal houses in brick. If you look carefully, you will see that the brickwork just left of the doorway is darker that that on the right. This later brickwork dates from 1878 when the house was widened from three bays (or windows) to five, bringing Sewall Place in line with the more characteristic five bay Federal mansions on High Street.

Cross the street to Bartlett Mall. The broad promenade on the easterly side of Frog Pond was laid out in 1800 through the efforts of Capt. Edmund Bartlett and a few other public-spirited citizens. At one time, the area contained a rope-walk - a long, narrow, shed-like building for winding cordage with which to rig Newburyport tall ships.