NEWBURYPORT – The Pink House was demolished March 11 by its last owner, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, but the community continues to recognize the efforts of the non-profit group of indefatigable volunteers, the Supporters of the Pink House (STPH), who tried to save it.
The latest recognition comes from a longtime ally, The Newburyport Preservation Trust, which gave STPH one of its highest honors last Sunday as a highlight of its annual Preservation Week.
The Newburyport Preservation Trust held its 2025 Awards Ceremony at
4 p.m., Sunday, May 18 at the Custom House Maritime Museum. The annual presentation of awards for local preservation efforts was given out by the trust in a variety of categories.
The Pink House will celebrate its 100th anniversary June 14 at Pita Hall.
The Trust recognized the STPH and its board for its decades-long advocacy of preserving the house on the marsh. The board of directors is Rochelle Joseph, Jeff Ackley, Kelly Page, Alison Odle and Sandy Tilton.
It also published one of the best histories of the house, written this year by Barb Bailey.
The Pink House, built a century ago, stood as a welcome sign to all heading to Plum Island. STPH is working to make it an important part of the greater Newburyport’s local history.
The volunteers “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,” a STPH blog wrote.
The effort by STPH and “the many generous souls who helped us along the way,” 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, the organization stated.
In addition to recognizing the STPH for its advocacy of preservation, the categories included Adaptive Reuse and New Building Compatibility, Historic Landscape Restoration, Interior Restoration, Exterior Restoration and Historic Preservation Craftsmanship. Bronson Sadler was the emcee for the awards.
The award for exterior restoration went to Tom Keller for his repair and appropriate replacement of the wooden roof at 1 Federal Street, a First Period House, built in 1680 by Col. Daniel Pierce Jr.
The trust also honored James Lipcon of Lipson Construction, General Contractor, and Erik Hammer with Precision Roofing for their Historic Preservation Craftsmanship at 1 Federal Street.
The four-bedroom home near downtown was masterfully modernized while retaining its timelessness. This unique home now gleams with a contemporary kitchen with radiant heat and updated baths. The revitalized home has new windows, roofing and a chimney meticulously restored by top masons. Cedar siding and soy foam insulation enhance its eco-friendliness. It has Period features like the walk-in fireplace, exposed beams and wide pine floors. It also includes a renovated carriage house with a bath and kitchenette, alongside a two-car garage.
Janet and James Laveliere were recognized for their handcrafted in period appropriate style of the wooden storm windows at 17 Federal Street, the William Pierce Johnson House, built in either 1777 or 1780 by one of the city’s prominent shipbuilders. This house is a fine example of Georgian domestic architecture.
Adam Butler of Iconic Windows was also honored for his work in historic preservation craftsmanship, manufacturing and installing storm windows at 17 Federal Street.
The trust also recognized Jennifer and Jeffrey Reed for their exterior repair and restoration of 1700 original clapboards at 7 Parker St. in Newbury, a 1646 First Period House. The James Noyes House was built by the Rev. James Noyes, a Puritan pastor, who settled in Newbury in the mid-17th century. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
The trust also honored the Museum of Old Newbury, Bethany Groff Dorau, executive director for its adaptive reuse of the Perkins Printing and Engraving Plant.
In 2017, the Museum of Old Newbury opened its first exhibition in the Perkins Printing and Engraving Plant, Captains and Currency. The exhibit weaves together the personal and professional stories of its two titular families, both of which made significant contributions to Newburyport’s 19th century success and stature. The Brown family produced four generations of illustrious ship masters, while the Perkins family developed revolutionary technology to produce currency for much of New England. ♦
