Back in June, the Homewood Planning Commission paved the way for the historic Bridges Home, also known as the Homewood Pink House, to be torn down to make way for newer homes.
Since then, the Homewood community has pushed for an effort to save the home from demolition. The Homewood Alabama Historical Preservation Society, local investors, national organizations and the community are raising funds in hopes to purchase the property by February and convert it into a community space.
“Razing the house and secret garden will leave a historic neighborhood unrecognizable and continue our city’s troubling cycle of destroying historical sites and regretting it once it’s too late,” said Dylan Spencer, a board member of the Homewood Alabama Historical Preservation Society, in a statement. “Our plan is for the property to become sort of a miniature Botanical Gardens with space for an art gallery, free art classes, gardening, weddings, movies on the lawn — just a beautiful place for people from all over Birmingham to enjoy.
The Pink House was built in 1921 by Georges and Eleanor Bridges. The pink stucco architecture resembles an Italian villa, and back in the ’20s, the house played host to prominent American writers such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald alongside Birmingham’s socialites.
The entire property is encompassed by an assortment of native flora – fir, wax leaf legumstrum, mahonia, hibiscus – all intertwined with wisteria to shield the house from prying eyes.
“We hope other folks who love Homewood and Birmingham will join us by donating to the campaign by visiting our website or reaching out if they are interested in becoming a cornerstone investor,” Spencer said in a statement.
For more information about joining the effort or donating to save the house, visit savethehomewoodpinkhouse.com or email info@savethehomewoodpinkhouse.com. Checks can also be made out to “Homewood Alabama Historical Preservation Society” and mailed to 904 Forrest Dr. S., Homewood, AL 35029.
