The Children's Advocacy Center :: History of The Pink House

WHO WE ARE

History of The Pink House
The Pink House on 344 S. Beach Street was originally the winter home of Thomas H. White, the manufacturer of White sewing machines, bicycles and trucks. Mr. White was commodore of the Yacht Club and a major benefactor of Bethune-Cookman College. In 1910, White built a small, bungalow style building to be the winter residence of his bride. White hired S.H. Gove, a noted local architect, to design the original building.

In 1919, Richard H. Edmonds purchased the building from Mr. White’s widow. Mr. Edmonds, the founder and editor of the Manufacturer’s Record, was internationally known as an ardent champion of the industrial resources of the South. Edmonds hired S.H. Gove to enlarge the building.

In 1937, the building was purchased by the Young Women’s Christian Association, the YWCA. The building was acquired by selling their first residence and combining it with a legacy from Mrs. Simon Peabody. The building was to provide “suitable housing for business girls.”

Later, through a cooperative effort between the YWCA and Halifax Medical Center, the building came to be known as “Halifax House” and was established for families of patients of the hospital.

In November, 1994, the building was leased from the YWCA and remodeled to become the home of I-CARE, The Children’s Advocacy Center. In July of 1997 I-CARE was renamed The Children's Advocacy Center of Volusia & Flagler Counties. The newly formed Center moved into the renovated, historic YWCA building at 344 S. Beach Street, Daytona Beach. The Center purchased the building in January 2001, as their permanent home.

In July of 2007, The Children's Advocacy Center moved from its beloved Pink House to its new offices at 1011 West International Speedway Boulevard.