Statement from Support The Pink House Feb 28, 2025
To our dear Pink House community,
We want to thank everyone for your incredible patience as we all awaited news.
Governor Healey and her staff, Senator Tarr, and Rep Kassner worked diligently since the Governor stepped in to stop the demolition on 10/30. They hoped to achieve the win for all that has always been possible with The Pink House.
Rest assured they met with the right people, including decision makers at the highest positions within FWS and the DOI. Several prime new parcels of acreage, most abutting refuges Matt Hillman manages were offered, along with the former ones Support the Pink House submitted, by the Governor’s office. All were denied.
After all of that work, the only option FWS would allow was no different than what they offered for the auction -to move the house to another location within 90 days, a crippling time frame.
We are all incredibly disappointed at the absolute waste on FWS part of an incredible opportunity to swap this one acre for up to 400+ new acres of land to conserve, and fulfill the deal they came to us with saying land swap would be so beneficial to their mission.
The donors intention was to restore the house in place, aligning with the public’s desire, which also formed STPH’s mission. However, when faced with the prospect of The Pink House being gone forever - or moving it to a similar location, specifically within the vista - we all decided to at least explore the option.
STPH and the donor worked together all through the holidays, consulting experts and service providers. Ultimately the hurdles proved untenable, and what might work simply needed more time for proper due diligence.
FWS set March 31, 2025 as an absolute deadline citing the Migratory Bird period. That ends in June, which, Matt Hillman said at a December meeting, is why they planned the auction for July. They could have easily granted the extension so the proper due diligence could be done. The elected officials and the angel donor asked them repeatedly to extend the deadline the few months till June. FWS refused.
Land was extremely limited, and initial outreach wasn’t fruitful. A consequence of moving PH to purchased land is that it would exhaust the million dollars, leaving a boarded up house on pilings without the funds to restore it – a result far from what we were all working to achieve. Senator Tarr sought a nonprofit end user, and while discussions were had with two promising groups, again, their due diligence would not be accomplished within the time frame FWS set.
Moving The Pink House it would also affect the perpetual preservation restriction we worked so hard to achieve to keep the house’s signature silhouette, size, color and prevent it from being demolished. Efforts to extend the time just three months - past the Migratory Bird season, was repeatedly requesteD to no avail.
It’s really disappointing to leave opportunities worthy of exploration unfulfilled, due to the time limits FWS imposed.
We are extremely grateful to Governor Healey, Senator Tarr, Rep Kassner and their staffs who, seeing the incredible value The Pink House brings to the State and this region, lent their substantial powers to this effort.
We all should be proud of the efforts put forth. You called and emailed FWS and the federally elected officials, signed petitions and cards, came to rallies, donated, came to meetings, passionately commented across social media, shared the word, wrote letters to the editor, commented on media postings anywhere you found them, came out to visit, photograph, and paint the house in all seasons, under the moon, the milky way, the northern lights, sunrises and sunsets.
Our work, and the many generous souls who helped us along the way, have allowed The Pink House to remain in its rightful home for nearly a decade longer that it would have, if FWS had not been stopped.
It is hard to effectively say thank you to our donor’s unbelievably generous offer, and to our Restoration Partner whose commitment and dedication kept negotiations going for five years previous. To our Governor for stepping in to stop the demolition, and, together with her impressive, talented staff, took this to a higher level. To Senator Tarr for his many efforts on this project throughout the years and for taking a stand for this region, joined by Rep Kassner.
It should not go unnoticed, that due to these people’s actions, The Pink House did enter its hundredth year as our icon. We are all so grateful for that alone.
We want to thank everyone for your incredible patience as we all awaited news.
Governor Healey and her staff, Senator Tarr, and Rep Kassner worked diligently since the Governor stepped in to stop the demolition on 10/30. They hoped to achieve the win for all that has always been possible with The Pink House.
Rest assured they met with the right people, including decision makers at the highest positions within FWS and the DOI. Several prime new parcels of acreage, most abutting refuges Matt Hillman manages were offered, along with the former ones Support the Pink House submitted, by the Governor’s office. All were denied.
After all of that work, the only option FWS would allow was no different than what they offered for the auction -to move the house to another location within 90 days, a crippling time frame.
We are all incredibly disappointed at the absolute waste on FWS part of an incredible opportunity to swap this one acre for up to 400+ new acres of land to conserve, and fulfill the deal they came to us with saying land swap would be so beneficial to their mission.
The donors intention was to restore the house in place, aligning with the public’s desire, which also formed STPH’s mission. However, when faced with the prospect of The Pink House being gone forever - or moving it to a similar location, specifically within the vista - we all decided to at least explore the option.
STPH and the donor worked together all through the holidays, consulting experts and service providers. Ultimately the hurdles proved untenable, and what might work simply needed more time for proper due diligence.
FWS set March 31, 2025 as an absolute deadline citing the Migratory Bird period. That ends in June, which, Matt Hillman said at a December meeting, is why they planned the auction for July. They could have easily granted the extension so the proper due diligence could be done. The elected officials and the angel donor asked them repeatedly to extend the deadline the few months till June. FWS refused.
Land was extremely limited, and initial outreach wasn’t fruitful. A consequence of moving PH to purchased land is that it would exhaust the million dollars, leaving a boarded up house on pilings without the funds to restore it – a result far from what we were all working to achieve. Senator Tarr sought a nonprofit end user, and while discussions were had with two promising groups, again, their due diligence would not be accomplished within the time frame FWS set.
Moving The Pink House it would also affect the perpetual preservation restriction we worked so hard to achieve to keep the house’s signature silhouette, size, color and prevent it from being demolished. Efforts to extend the time just three months - past the Migratory Bird season, was repeatedly requesteD to no avail.
It’s really disappointing to leave opportunities worthy of exploration unfulfilled, due to the time limits FWS imposed.
We are extremely grateful to Governor Healey, Senator Tarr, Rep Kassner and their staffs who, seeing the incredible value The Pink House brings to the State and this region, lent their substantial powers to this effort.
We all should be proud of the efforts put forth. You called and emailed FWS and the federally elected officials, signed petitions and cards, came to rallies, donated, came to meetings, passionately commented across social media, shared the word, wrote letters to the editor, commented on media postings anywhere you found them, came out to visit, photograph, and paint the house in all seasons, under the moon, the milky way, the northern lights, sunrises and sunsets.
Our work, and the many generous souls who helped us along the way, have allowed The Pink House to remain in its rightful home for nearly a decade longer that it would have, if FWS had not been stopped.
It is hard to effectively say thank you to our donor’s unbelievably generous offer, and to our Restoration Partner whose commitment and dedication kept negotiations going for five years previous. To our Governor for stepping in to stop the demolition, and, together with her impressive, talented staff, took this to a higher level. To Senator Tarr for his many efforts on this project throughout the years and for taking a stand for this region, joined by Rep Kassner.
It should not go unnoticed, that due to these people’s actions, The Pink House did enter its hundredth year as our icon. We are all so grateful for that alone.
Pink House Tribute Song by Bill McCarthy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb 28, 2025
FROM: Governor Healey, Leader Tarr, Representative Kassner, Support The Pink House Inc. Respond to U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Decision to Remove The Pink House
BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, Representative Kristin Kassner and Support The Pink House’s President Alison Odle issued the following statements in response to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)’s decision to demolish the building known as “The Pink House” at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in March while further options were explored. FWS had previously agreed to pause demolition after Governor Healey intervened and requested additional conversations about potential paths to save the beloved structure. Despite extensive negotiations, FWS has notified the state that it will be moving forward with demolition in the coming weeks.
“The Pink House is a beloved fixture on Plum Island and a special part of the history, culture and fabric of greater Newbury and Newburyport. We are deeply grateful for all of the residents, including artists, who have made their voices heard about how meaningful the Pink House is to them and their communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Last fall, we stepped in on behalf of community members, businesses and our tourism industry to try to preserve this important economic driver and landmark. With the partnership of Leader Bruce Tarr and State Representative Kristin Kassner, we worked diligently toward a solution with FWS but unfortunately they are moving forward with the demolition. Though the house will be removed, we remain committed to working together to evaluate additional steps we can take to ensure that the legacy of the Pink House will endure.”
"While I am both frustrated and disappointed that we couldn't find a way to save this iconic structure that is important in so many ways, I am deeply appreciative to everyone who worked tirelessly to achieve the common goal of preserving this structure,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “Governor Healey, Support the Pink House, local officials in Newbury, Salisbury, Newburyport and beyond, Representative Kassner, our federal legislative colleagues and many others gave the task of preserving the house the type of attention, focus, and perseverance it deserved. Now that remarkable effort will be part of the Pink House legacy that holds special meaning for the region and our Commonwealth.”
“The Pink House is an iconic part of the Plum Island landscape that has inspired artists, attracted tourists, and warmed the hearts of residents for almost a century," said Representative Kristin Kassner (D-Hamilton). “I want to thank Governor Healey and her team, Senator Tarr, the hard work of Support the Pink House, the generosity of the anonymous donor, and so many others for this valiant final effort to preserve this cherished landmark. I wish we had been able to prevail, but there were too many obstacles to overcome.”
“Support The Pink House did everything in our power to make this work,” said Support The Pink House’s President Alison Odle. “Our mission was formed by the people– to facilitate a solution to save and restore The Pink House in place, in perpetuity. All deeply appreciate the tremendous response to them by the efforts of Governor Healey, her office, Senator Tarr and Rep Kassner. After considering even a last-ditch effort of moving the house within the vista, we join all who will be completely devastated by the imminent loss of this treasured landmark and what it could have become.”
FROM: Governor Healey, Leader Tarr, Representative Kassner, Support The Pink House Inc. Respond to U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Decision to Remove The Pink House
BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, Representative Kristin Kassner and Support The Pink House’s President Alison Odle issued the following statements in response to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)’s decision to demolish the building known as “The Pink House” at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in March while further options were explored. FWS had previously agreed to pause demolition after Governor Healey intervened and requested additional conversations about potential paths to save the beloved structure. Despite extensive negotiations, FWS has notified the state that it will be moving forward with demolition in the coming weeks.
“The Pink House is a beloved fixture on Plum Island and a special part of the history, culture and fabric of greater Newbury and Newburyport. We are deeply grateful for all of the residents, including artists, who have made their voices heard about how meaningful the Pink House is to them and their communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Last fall, we stepped in on behalf of community members, businesses and our tourism industry to try to preserve this important economic driver and landmark. With the partnership of Leader Bruce Tarr and State Representative Kristin Kassner, we worked diligently toward a solution with FWS but unfortunately they are moving forward with the demolition. Though the house will be removed, we remain committed to working together to evaluate additional steps we can take to ensure that the legacy of the Pink House will endure.”
"While I am both frustrated and disappointed that we couldn't find a way to save this iconic structure that is important in so many ways, I am deeply appreciative to everyone who worked tirelessly to achieve the common goal of preserving this structure,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “Governor Healey, Support the Pink House, local officials in Newbury, Salisbury, Newburyport and beyond, Representative Kassner, our federal legislative colleagues and many others gave the task of preserving the house the type of attention, focus, and perseverance it deserved. Now that remarkable effort will be part of the Pink House legacy that holds special meaning for the region and our Commonwealth.”
“The Pink House is an iconic part of the Plum Island landscape that has inspired artists, attracted tourists, and warmed the hearts of residents for almost a century," said Representative Kristin Kassner (D-Hamilton). “I want to thank Governor Healey and her team, Senator Tarr, the hard work of Support the Pink House, the generosity of the anonymous donor, and so many others for this valiant final effort to preserve this cherished landmark. I wish we had been able to prevail, but there were too many obstacles to overcome.”
“Support The Pink House did everything in our power to make this work,” said Support The Pink House’s President Alison Odle. “Our mission was formed by the people– to facilitate a solution to save and restore The Pink House in place, in perpetuity. All deeply appreciate the tremendous response to them by the efforts of Governor Healey, her office, Senator Tarr and Rep Kassner. After considering even a last-ditch effort of moving the house within the vista, we join all who will be completely devastated by the imminent loss of this treasured landmark and what it could have become.”
WHO WE ARE
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Curious about our efforts? We've compiled a short list of FAQ's to help you understand all the information relevant to this cause.
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Our efforts are led by a Board of Directors, backed by countless community supporters and volunteers.
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The Pink House is an icon located on the way to Plum Island, currently owned by the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.
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COMMUNITY SUPPORT
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Seth Moulton, U.S. Congressman: "As a cultural landmark in Newbury, the Pink House means a lot to our region. I am committed to supporting federal, state and local efforts to find a viable solution for its preservation and protection." (2019) Bruce Tarr, State Senator: "The Pink House is not only an iconic structure in its own right, it also serves as a powerful symbol of the importance of keeping the Great Marsh and other coastal resources strong and resilient. Preserving it offers us all an opportunity to work together to save the building and speak to these issues." (2018) Kathleen O'Connor Ives, Former State Senator: "The Pink House serves as a welcoming icon to Plum Island and holds an important place in the cultural landscape for the community. I hope that it will be there for future generations to experience." (2018) Susan C.S. Edwards, Frmr. Executive Director, Museum of Old Newbury: “The Pink House is an important part of Newbury's cultural landscape and is a gateway to Plum Island for both residents and visitors. Much beloved by the community, it has become a landmark of the Great Marsh, as iconic to some as the hay straddles that dot the landscape along Route 1A. I applaud the efforts of Support the Pink House to save and preserve this unique property.” (2019) |
North of Boston Tourist Bureau:
"An enduring part of the landscape, The Pink House also contributes to the economy, drawing visitors to the region, who frequent our local businesses as part of their regional experience." (2024) Greater NBPT Chamber: "Our members directly benefit from it bringing local, national and international tourists to the area, who then contribute to the local economy. We also recognize saving the house will be beneficial to the US FWS and the town of Newbury." (2024) Essex National Heritage: "The Pink House, in it's almost 100 year life, has come to be considered by members of the community to be Newbury's "Motif #1" - A contributor to tourism in the area, a benefit to the local economy and artistic community, drawing visitors through Essex Coastal Scenic Byway." (2024) Linda Miller & Tom Kolterjahn, co-presidents, Newburyport Preservation Trust: “This isolated foursquare cottage is a beloved landmark for residents and visitors entering Plum Island and the Great Marsh. The Trust strongly supports that The Pink House is historically significant, as it has become part of the architectural and cultural fabric of the area for several generations.” (2019) |
Newburyport Preservation Trust:
"We support the preservation of the house and want it to remain ash an icon of the area's artistic leaning and haunting vision. Preserve this historic landmark." (2024) Town of Newburyport: "We, the City Council of Newburyport, encourage the relevant stakeholders to continue discussions to find a suitable land exchange which will prevent the demolition of the Pink House." (2024) Newbury Select Board "In addition to keeping the historic, well-loved home intact, the property would once again generate tax dollars for our community. It continues to be a cultural and emotional landmark in the Town of Newbury. " (2024) Salisbury Select Board: "In our state, which prides itself on preserving and learning from our unique history, every effort must be made to save the structure..." (2024) |
Matthew Hillman, Parker River Refuge Manager:
" The US FWS is committed to working collaboratively with STPH and our partners to preserve this piece of local history while contributing to our mission to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people." (2021) Mayor Sean Reardon I support the efforts of Support The Pink House, who have been working diligently with FWS to keep The Pink House standing and restore it in perpetuity. (2024) Diana DiZoglio, State Auditor: "The Pink House is a local treasure and landmark that brings great beauty, history and culture to Plum Island, attracting locals, visitors and tourists alike. I am committed to working alongside our local, state and federal partners to ensure this beloved landmark is preserved for future generations to cherish." (2022) |