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.
READ our open letter to the public, as published on 7/24/24 by the Newburyport Daily News HERE. And READ our most current statement as the last efforts to stop the demolition by Governor Healey, Senator Tarr and Rep Kassner, along with up to a million dollars in available funds, was not allowed to succeed.
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When has Fish and Wildlife scheduled demolition of The Pink House?
FWS is not saying a date, just that it will be done by March 31. We do expect work to begin as early as Tuesday/Wednesday of this week, 3/11, or the week of the 17th. Every day is precious.FWS is not saying a date, just that it will be done by March 31. We do expect work to begin as early as Tuesday/Wednesday of this week, 3/11, or the week of the 17th. Support the Pink House will not stop working to save the house as long as it is standing.
Is the Pink House as unsafe and contaminated as Fish and Wildlife says?
The Pink House has had any contaminants remediated back in October, and in mid January 3035 a house health check was done and The Pink House was confirmed to be structurally sound and fully restorable.
Three building advisors who knew of the levels stated independently that what was in there was in normal amounts, and common to most of the cottages built before 1978. The MA Board of Health said that lead paint presents no threat to anyone over the age of 5, and requires no special handling or precautions to dispose of.
What can the public do to help save The Pink House?
The voice of the people is powerful. We encourage you to express your explicit desire that the house remain where it is and work with Support The Pink House to save and restore The Pink House. To make that easy, we've provided a list of contact information for calls, emails and newspapers on our STOP THE DEMO page. Scroll down to What Can You Do.
What is the story behind The Pink House movement?
The house had always been a family home until acquired by the US Fish and Wildlife in late 2011. 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 worked 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. It will be 100 years old in 2025 The legend it is a spite house is untrue but it has helped bring international attention to the house. Find the factual history HERE.
What is "Support The Pink House Inc"?
Begun as a grass roots community group, Support the Pink House (STPH) formed in answer to an overwhelming community desire to keep The Pink House standing, and get it restored under a perpetual preservation restriction. On 1/30/2020, Support the Pink House became a non-profit public benefit 501 (c) (3); our all-volunteer board meets regularly. With the early assistance of the Congressional delegation, we saved The Pink House from demolition in August 2016. We worked on a land trade deal with Greenebelt which fell through at the 11th hour in 2020. FWS Realty Chiefs invited us into another contractual partnership in Fall of 2020 asking us to perform and pay for a number of steps to make the house available for new ownership and created an approved perpetual preservation restriction to guide it's restoration. FWS Realty chiefs guaranteed they'd provide the land. They did not deliver, and moved to a plan to demolish the house without informing us until they announced it to the public. Yet, everything is still in place for this to be a win for FWS and the region who wants the pink house saved.
Who owns The Pink House?
The US Fish and Wildlife owns The Pink House. After originally being marketed for public sale by it's last residents for $1.2 million, the three individual parcels totaling 9.29 acres and the house was sold to FWS for $375,000 in September 2011.
Why Ddoes Fish and Wildlife want to remove the house?
The Parker River Wildlife Refuge originally considered utilizing The Pink House for visiting staff, but concluded they didn't want to refurbish it, so scheduled it for demolition first in 2014, then again in March 2016. Support the Pink House successfully reached out to elected officials to stop it.
What is The Structural Condition of The Pink House?
The Pink House is sound. There are no cracks in the foundation, and her bones are solid. When STPH formed, the first thing we did was have our STPH HIC/CSL Building Advisor Bill Barrett do a building health check to discover the house was in salvageable condition. That check was done annually, as well as before and after every major storm, working with the Parker River Wildlife Refuge to shore up anything needed so the house remains so. FWS cut plant growth back each spring at our request so the house can breathe. That changed during Covid, when we were not allowed to do a house check for over 2 year, during which time the house suffered. Many licensed and insured builders have offered their talents, and others donated materials and the funds to do basic upkeep ever since we began this in 2015 and all have been denied.
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, among other options.
Isn't the Pink House located ON the Refuge?
No. The Pink House is on the Plum Island Turnpike, across from other homes, over a mile from the Refuge entrance. The land you see all around it belongs to a local farming family and private parties.
What Can The Pink House Be Used For?
It is zoned to be either a home again, as it has been since 1925, or have a low-profile educational use. What it can become is framed by zoning, any deed restrictions, and the perpetual Preservation Restriction approved by MHC, which will keep it pink, the same silhouette, and prevent it being torn down or built into something else.
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. The 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. It now appears as a landmark on Google Maps, and is listed on Trip Advisor as a place of interest. Its iconic status grows with each day.
It's really the meaning it has to people that has made The Pink House so iconic. A seemingly endless stream of musicians, writers, photographers and painters find their must in The Pink House. Their art wins awards, often bringing top dollar. Many artisans and craftspeople have created cottage industries around Pink House themed items. There was even a Pink House clothing line! And The Pink House has become an economic driver, bringing more and more visitors to the area, who then visit shops, eateries, theaters, attend events, and stay overnight -- or come back to rent or buy. Then there's the heart and memories of people who make the Pink House extra special. We receive countless comments reflecting what The Pink House means to the community.
There's no question --The Pink House is truly unique - its charm, intriguing history, memorable architecture, and meaning add to what makes this region so appealing! In fact, its silhouette has become an identifier to this area.
Can I go close or inside the house?
The Pink House is on private federal property, so should only be enjoyed from the shoulder of the Plum Island Turnpike, (or while eating lunch at Bob Lobster across the street!). Obey the signs and respect the house. NO TRESPASSING PLEASE
For the most in depth and current information, please check out our BREAKING NEWS page and our BLOG (scroll back through articles for much information).
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!
READ our open letter to the public, as published on 7/24/24 by the Newburyport Daily News HERE. And READ our most current statement as the last efforts to stop the demolition by Governor Healey, Senator Tarr and Rep Kassner, along with up to a million dollars in available funds, was not allowed to succeed.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
When has Fish and Wildlife scheduled demolition of The Pink House?
FWS is not saying a date, just that it will be done by March 31. We do expect work to begin as early as Tuesday/Wednesday of this week, 3/11, or the week of the 17th. Every day is precious.FWS is not saying a date, just that it will be done by March 31. We do expect work to begin as early as Tuesday/Wednesday of this week, 3/11, or the week of the 17th. Support the Pink House will not stop working to save the house as long as it is standing.
Is the Pink House as unsafe and contaminated as Fish and Wildlife says?
The Pink House has had any contaminants remediated back in October, and in mid January 3035 a house health check was done and The Pink House was confirmed to be structurally sound and fully restorable.
Three building advisors who knew of the levels stated independently that what was in there was in normal amounts, and common to most of the cottages built before 1978. The MA Board of Health said that lead paint presents no threat to anyone over the age of 5, and requires no special handling or precautions to dispose of.
What can the public do to help save The Pink House?
The voice of the people is powerful. We encourage you to express your explicit desire that the house remain where it is and work with Support The Pink House to save and restore The Pink House. To make that easy, we've provided a list of contact information for calls, emails and newspapers on our STOP THE DEMO page. Scroll down to What Can You Do.
What is the story behind The Pink House movement?
The house had always been a family home until acquired by the US Fish and Wildlife in late 2011. 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 worked 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. It will be 100 years old in 2025 The legend it is a spite house is untrue but it has helped bring international attention to the house. Find the factual history HERE.
What is "Support The Pink House Inc"?
Begun as a grass roots community group, Support the Pink House (STPH) formed in answer to an overwhelming community desire to keep The Pink House standing, and get it restored under a perpetual preservation restriction. On 1/30/2020, Support the Pink House became a non-profit public benefit 501 (c) (3); our all-volunteer board meets regularly. With the early assistance of the Congressional delegation, we saved The Pink House from demolition in August 2016. We worked on a land trade deal with Greenebelt which fell through at the 11th hour in 2020. FWS Realty Chiefs invited us into another contractual partnership in Fall of 2020 asking us to perform and pay for a number of steps to make the house available for new ownership and created an approved perpetual preservation restriction to guide it's restoration. FWS Realty chiefs guaranteed they'd provide the land. They did not deliver, and moved to a plan to demolish the house without informing us until they announced it to the public. Yet, everything is still in place for this to be a win for FWS and the region who wants the pink house saved.
Who owns The Pink House?
The US Fish and Wildlife owns The Pink House. After originally being marketed for public sale by it's last residents for $1.2 million, the three individual parcels totaling 9.29 acres and the house was sold to FWS for $375,000 in September 2011.
Why Ddoes Fish and Wildlife want to remove the house?
The Parker River Wildlife Refuge originally considered utilizing The Pink House for visiting staff, but concluded they didn't want to refurbish it, so scheduled it for demolition first in 2014, then again in March 2016. Support the Pink House successfully reached out to elected officials to stop it.
What is The Structural Condition of The Pink House?
The Pink House is sound. There are no cracks in the foundation, and her bones are solid. When STPH formed, the first thing we did was have our STPH HIC/CSL Building Advisor Bill Barrett do a building health check to discover the house was in salvageable condition. That check was done annually, as well as before and after every major storm, working with the Parker River Wildlife Refuge to shore up anything needed so the house remains so. FWS cut plant growth back each spring at our request so the house can breathe. That changed during Covid, when we were not allowed to do a house check for over 2 year, during which time the house suffered. Many licensed and insured builders have offered their talents, and others donated materials and the funds to do basic upkeep ever since we began this in 2015 and all have been denied.
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, among other options.
Isn't the Pink House located ON the Refuge?
No. The Pink House is on the Plum Island Turnpike, across from other homes, over a mile from the Refuge entrance. The land you see all around it belongs to a local farming family and private parties.
What Can The Pink House Be Used For?
It is zoned to be either a home again, as it has been since 1925, or have a low-profile educational use. What it can become is framed by zoning, any deed restrictions, and the perpetual Preservation Restriction approved by MHC, which will keep it pink, the same silhouette, and prevent it being torn down or built into something else.
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. The 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. It now appears as a landmark on Google Maps, and is listed on Trip Advisor as a place of interest. Its iconic status grows with each day.
It's really the meaning it has to people that has made The Pink House so iconic. A seemingly endless stream of musicians, writers, photographers and painters find their must in The Pink House. Their art wins awards, often bringing top dollar. Many artisans and craftspeople have created cottage industries around Pink House themed items. There was even a Pink House clothing line! And The Pink House has become an economic driver, bringing more and more visitors to the area, who then visit shops, eateries, theaters, attend events, and stay overnight -- or come back to rent or buy. Then there's the heart and memories of people who make the Pink House extra special. We receive countless comments reflecting what The Pink House means to the community.
There's no question --The Pink House is truly unique - its charm, intriguing history, memorable architecture, and meaning add to what makes this region so appealing! In fact, its silhouette has become an identifier to this area.
Can I go close or inside the house?
The Pink House is on private federal property, so should only be enjoyed from the shoulder of the Plum Island Turnpike, (or while eating lunch at Bob Lobster across the street!). Obey the signs and respect the house. NO TRESPASSING PLEASE
For the most in depth and current information, please check out our BREAKING NEWS page and our BLOG (scroll back through articles for much information).
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!