NEWBURY – When two vans owned by Global Remediation Services arrived at the Pink House last week and a crew toured the house with Matt Hillman, manager of the Parker River Wildlife Refuge, supporters of the house assumed their worst nightmare – the demolition of the house – was about to begin.
“Make NO mistake: The F&WS Management IS moving forward with their plan to demolish this local Icon!!!” wrote Sandy Tilton, a Support the Pink House (STPH) board member, who shot photos of Global Remediation Services crew at the Pink House last week.
The crew was there to assess the levels of asbestos, mold and lead present in the house. Hillman said the Fish & Wildlife is following the plan outlined in the agency’s environmental assessment “to abate all contaminants and remove the house by late fall or winter of 2025.”
In response to several of the Town Common’s questions, Hillman wrote, “I don’t have details to these specific questions yet as the asbestos and lead paint remediation contractors need to do further testing.”
Previous analysis found low levels of asbestos in the glue around the windows and behind the tiles under the roof, according to STPH president Rochelle Joseph. There is also mold from standing near the marsh and some lead paint.
Tilton wrote in a Facebook post, “I am disappointed at the sudden vagueness when we ask for information from F&WS. They should show us the respect of at least telling us the exact date.”
The STPH is also looking to the F&WS to reimburse it the $34,000 the non-profit group spent to comply with the agency’s requests to become a 501C3 organization and other expenses. This sum does not include operating expenses.
The Pink House at 60 Plum Island Turnpike was built 99 years ago by Newburyport resident Gertrude Cutter for a son she was devoted to and his wife whom she did not like.
Through the years, it passed through several private ownerships until it was acquired by the federal government for $395,000. The agency hoped to use it as dormitory for scientists and technicians studying the marsh wildlife. That never happened, and the agency found that the house on the edge of the marsh did not fit into its mission to preserve the marsh and its wildlife.
Instead, the Pink House became a frequent subject of paintings and photographs, while its legend as a spite house grew.
The General Services Administration tried unsuccessfully to auction the 1,500-square-foot house this summer, but got no bidders.
In a public letter last month, Hillman acknowledged that the decision to auction off the Pink House was an unpopular one.
“While we understand that relocation or repurposing of the house by auction is not an ideal path for some, others have expressed hope that this could serve as a last resort to preserve the house’s memory. It was based on this feedback that we are providing an opportunity for the public to purchase the structure. We believe this is in the best interest for the long-term preservation of both the house and the habitats we manage.”
Tilton noted that none of the Global crew wore masks as they toured the home.
“It is my sincere hope,” Tilton wrote, “that The Pink House will remain right where it has been for almost 100 years now….part of our community.”
STPH is soliciting ideas for how to celebrate the Pink House’s 100th birthday next year.
