FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Pink House is an iconic landmark, not just to New Englanders but to visitors far and wide.
Located in Newbury, MA, bordering Newburyport on the road to Plum Island, it sits as the only structure in the grass lands stretching to the horizon under an endless sky.
Highlighting the beauty of her natural setting, The Pink House intrigues and inspires.
What is The Pink House Story?
The house had always been lived - no abandoned - until acquired by the US Fish and Wildlife in late 2011. The house was considered for use but ultimately FWS decided against it. When the Newburyport Daily News reported it was to be demolished, community outcry began. Based on thousands of signatures and hundreds of testimonials, Support The Pink House formed in answer. Since then, many generous volunteers have working tirelessly on the mission to keep the house standing and find a solution for the iconic house to remain in the community in perpetuity, with a Preservation Restriction.
What is "Support The Pink House"?
Begun as a grass roots community group, Support the Pink House (STPH) formed in answer to a sizable community desire to keep The Pink House standing, as she has for almost 100 years. The first part of our mission, keeping The Pink House from demolition, was accomplished in August 2016. The second part of our mission, which is to help find solutions and help facilitate new ownership of the house - carving out the driveway and upland.
In 2020, Support the Pink House became a 501 (c) (3) non profit, able to take tax-deductible donations. As an all volunteer board much has been out of pocket. They work on a very modest operating budget and
Who owns The Pink House?
The US Fish and Wildlife owns The Pink House. In September 2011, after being marketed for public sale, the Stott family sold three individual parcels totaling 9.29 acres to them for $375,000. The Pink House sits on upland on one of those parcels.
Why do they want to remove the house?
The Parker River Wildlife Refuge considered using the Pink House for visiting staff, but concluded they didn't want to refurbish it, so opted to built a built a structure for that use on their Visitor Center grounds just up the road instead.
What is the structural condition of The Pink House?
The Pink House is sound! And looks good inside. It is salvageable, but needs work very soon.
There are no leaks from the roof, no cracks in the foundation, and her bones are good.
In Feb 2016, the first thing STPH Advisor Bill Barrett (a local HIC/CSL builder) did was check for such discrepancies. This check is done annually, as well as before and after every major storm, working with the ParkerR River Wildlife Refuge to shore up anything needed so the house remains so. FWS also cuts plant growth back each spring at our request so the house can breathe.
Isn't the Pink House IN the Refuge?
No. The Pink House is not located on the Refuge itself, but is on the Plum Island Turnpike,
across from other homes, over a mile from the Refuge entrance.
Can someone just buy the house?
No. The US FWS cannot outright sell the property. It can be exchanged for land desired by the US FWS that is beneficial to their mission. There are many steps to prepare the Pink House and about an acre will need to undergo a stringent Yellow Book appraisal process and survey, go before municipal boards. All of this will cost
What IS the solution?
Support The Pink House works with the US Fish and Wildlife, federal, state and local elected officials and area organizations on viable options to transfer the house from federal possession to a new owner. What it will become will be framed by zoning, any deed restrictions, and our Preservation Restriction which will keep it pink, the same silhouette, and prevent it being torn down. Mostly likely is for it to become a home again, as it has been since 1925.
Why have we heard so little news lately?
We're devoting our focus to working out a solution. When we have news we'll share it.
The process has been complex and time consuming, but both STPH and the US Fish and Wildlife intend to create a happy resolution in our partnership together.
How did The Pink House get so well known?
The Pink House been covered by the NY Times, the Boston Globe, North Shore magazine (cover story),
WCVB-TV’s Chronicle, on the radio, and podcasts, among many other media articles.
Essex National Heritage added the house the Scenic Byway and had a cameo in a Honda commercial.
There has even been a Pink House clothing line ,created by the Elephants's Trunk Inc,
and featured in an annual fashion show at the Newburyport Art Association.
Its iconic status grows with each day.
But it's really the people who have made The Pink House famous!
We receive testimonies countless reflecting what The Pink House means to the community.
There has been a steady increase in visitors, which brings economic value to the area's shops, eateries and overnight rentals. Birders enjoy the Snowy Owl, baby Eagles, Red Tailed Hawks Increasingly, musicians writers, photographers and painters are inspired by The Pink House and this art has begun to win awards and bring top dollar in galleries.
Pink House themed items from local artisans and crafts people have been created in answer to this demand.
What if I want to go see the house?
The Pink House is on private federal property, so should only be enjoyed from the shoulder of the Plum Island Turnpike,
(or by eating lunch at Bob Lobster across the street!).
We hope you keep painting, photographing, writing about, and appreciating this beautiful icon.
But PLEASE DO NOT TRESPASS!
Didn't find what you were looking for?
Please email us. We're happy to help!
Located in Newbury, MA, bordering Newburyport on the road to Plum Island, it sits as the only structure in the grass lands stretching to the horizon under an endless sky.
Highlighting the beauty of her natural setting, The Pink House intrigues and inspires.
What is The Pink House Story?
The house had always been lived - no abandoned - until acquired by the US Fish and Wildlife in late 2011. The house was considered for use but ultimately FWS decided against it. When the Newburyport Daily News reported it was to be demolished, community outcry began. Based on thousands of signatures and hundreds of testimonials, Support The Pink House formed in answer. Since then, many generous volunteers have working tirelessly on the mission to keep the house standing and find a solution for the iconic house to remain in the community in perpetuity, with a Preservation Restriction.
What is "Support The Pink House"?
Begun as a grass roots community group, Support the Pink House (STPH) formed in answer to a sizable community desire to keep The Pink House standing, as she has for almost 100 years. The first part of our mission, keeping The Pink House from demolition, was accomplished in August 2016. The second part of our mission, which is to help find solutions and help facilitate new ownership of the house - carving out the driveway and upland.
In 2020, Support the Pink House became a 501 (c) (3) non profit, able to take tax-deductible donations. As an all volunteer board much has been out of pocket. They work on a very modest operating budget and
Who owns The Pink House?
The US Fish and Wildlife owns The Pink House. In September 2011, after being marketed for public sale, the Stott family sold three individual parcels totaling 9.29 acres to them for $375,000. The Pink House sits on upland on one of those parcels.
Why do they want to remove the house?
The Parker River Wildlife Refuge considered using the Pink House for visiting staff, but concluded they didn't want to refurbish it, so opted to built a built a structure for that use on their Visitor Center grounds just up the road instead.
What is the structural condition of The Pink House?
The Pink House is sound! And looks good inside. It is salvageable, but needs work very soon.
There are no leaks from the roof, no cracks in the foundation, and her bones are good.
In Feb 2016, the first thing STPH Advisor Bill Barrett (a local HIC/CSL builder) did was check for such discrepancies. This check is done annually, as well as before and after every major storm, working with the ParkerR River Wildlife Refuge to shore up anything needed so the house remains so. FWS also cuts plant growth back each spring at our request so the house can breathe.
Isn't the Pink House IN the Refuge?
No. The Pink House is not located on the Refuge itself, but is on the Plum Island Turnpike,
across from other homes, over a mile from the Refuge entrance.
Can someone just buy the house?
No. The US FWS cannot outright sell the property. It can be exchanged for land desired by the US FWS that is beneficial to their mission. There are many steps to prepare the Pink House and about an acre will need to undergo a stringent Yellow Book appraisal process and survey, go before municipal boards. All of this will cost
What IS the solution?
Support The Pink House works with the US Fish and Wildlife, federal, state and local elected officials and area organizations on viable options to transfer the house from federal possession to a new owner. What it will become will be framed by zoning, any deed restrictions, and our Preservation Restriction which will keep it pink, the same silhouette, and prevent it being torn down. Mostly likely is for it to become a home again, as it has been since 1925.
Why have we heard so little news lately?
We're devoting our focus to working out a solution. When we have news we'll share it.
The process has been complex and time consuming, but both STPH and the US Fish and Wildlife intend to create a happy resolution in our partnership together.
How did The Pink House get so well known?
The Pink House been covered by the NY Times, the Boston Globe, North Shore magazine (cover story),
WCVB-TV’s Chronicle, on the radio, and podcasts, among many other media articles.
Essex National Heritage added the house the Scenic Byway and had a cameo in a Honda commercial.
There has even been a Pink House clothing line ,created by the Elephants's Trunk Inc,
and featured in an annual fashion show at the Newburyport Art Association.
Its iconic status grows with each day.
But it's really the people who have made The Pink House famous!
We receive testimonies countless reflecting what The Pink House means to the community.
There has been a steady increase in visitors, which brings economic value to the area's shops, eateries and overnight rentals. Birders enjoy the Snowy Owl, baby Eagles, Red Tailed Hawks Increasingly, musicians writers, photographers and painters are inspired by The Pink House and this art has begun to win awards and bring top dollar in galleries.
Pink House themed items from local artisans and crafts people have been created in answer to this demand.
What if I want to go see the house?
The Pink House is on private federal property, so should only be enjoyed from the shoulder of the Plum Island Turnpike,
(or by eating lunch at Bob Lobster across the street!).
We hope you keep painting, photographing, writing about, and appreciating this beautiful icon.
But PLEASE DO NOT TRESPASS!
Didn't find what you were looking for?
Please email us. We're happy to help!