About
Who uses Alice’s House?
Individuals, families, and groups are welcome at Alice’s House to heal, rekindle a relationship, or renew themselves emotionally, spiritually or creatively. Some come for solitude, others to share collective experience in a sanctuary by the sea. Sustained by the income from summer rentals, the house is available for respite and sanctuary throughout the rest of the year. Mission based needs are considered a priority in determining availability.
The Story of Alice’s House
For more than 50 years, Alice’s House was a gathering place for countless individuals, families, and small groups who sought healing, renewal, reflection, and quiet space by the sea. John and Alice Feeney lived in this warm and welcoming Humarock Beach south of Boston for 40 years, always opening their home and hearts to those who had no place to go or needed support and comfort. In 1997, after Alice died, Janet Gibson, Alice’s friend, created a non-profit organization to buy this humble home, officially naming it Alice’s House and perpetuating its spirit and gentle healing power.
In 2012, a catastrophic fire driven by 50-mile-an-hour winds swept through Humarock village, destroying the house, but not its inner essence. Within days of the fire, hundreds of people wrote, called and blogged to share their experiences at Alice’s House and the benefits they had gained during their stay.
The Rebirth of Alice’s House
Most asked whether a new Alice’s House would rise from the ashes. In 2015, the non-profit organization launched an initiative to raise money, create architectural plans, and re-build Alice’s House. A ground-breaking ceremony occurred in the Spring of 2016.
The new Alice’s House has four bedrooms and baths, a wide-open first-floor gathering space and kitchen, and a wrap-around deck leading to the beach. Although new, the design maintains the original house footprint and comforting embrace, enhanced by the majesty of the waves just a hundred feet across the sand. Now rebuilt, the capital campaign continues. Once the construction loan has been repaid, the new Alice’s House will be financially self-sustaining. Summer rentals will provide an economic base for operations, augmented by year-round guest donations.
Tour
Although difficult to encompass the true essence of Alice’s House without experiencing it yourself firsthand, please take a moment and view a brief snapshot of the house and its unique amenities. Alice’s House has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, three different decks and a fully open kitchen and living space. The house has a light and open feeling with a whimsical and energetic vibe. Unique art installations donated by individuals in our community add to the heartbeat of Alice’s House. We invite you to visit our menu above to enjoy each room.
Contact
We are grateful for your interest in Alice’s House and happy to continue the conversation about what Alice’s House means to our community. To learn more about Alice’s House or to contribute, please complete the following:
Reflections
“I have a wonderful memory of the stormy weekend I spent at Alice’s House. Walking along the stony beach, a powerful wind at my back, finding stones in the shape of hearts seemed prophetic of the whole experience. With Jay’s inspirational direction I felt myself full of creative energies. Alice’s House is perfectly situated to take advantage of the elements (water, wind, sky) and to enhance the whole experience of story telling. My best wishes, in hopes that Alice’s House will be rebuilt.”
Julia du Prey
“How I miss the wonderful gatherings at Alice’s House. I know MANY groups benefitted from it, but I attended Jay O’Callahan’s workshops over and over. The simply beauty of this place at the beach, where we could gather and laugh but also touch the sacred beauty of the sea and the rocks. I remember the basket of heart-shaped stones, and what it was like to gather and eat a meal with all 16 of us when you counted Jay, his wife Linda, and maybe a few extra visitors.
We went deep in our stories and images. We felt the depth of human connection. It was a very special place. I’d be happy in my own small way to help rebuild it!”
