Mallard Cottage is a historic home located in the scenic coastal town of Duck, North Carolina. This charming beach cottage has been providing vacationers and locals alike with comfortable lodging and stunning views of the Currituck Sound for over 60 years. But who exactly owns this beloved Outer Banks institution? That’s an interesting question with a unique answer.
Mallard Cottage History
Mallard Cottage was originally built in the late 1950s as a family beach house. The first owners were the Mallard family, local residents who owned property in the budding beach town of Duck. The Mallards cherished their cozy cottage, spending many happy summer vacations there with their children.
In the late 1970s, the Mallards decided to sell the property. It was purchased by a local couple, the Browns, who had fallen in love with the charm and prime location of Mallard Cottage. The Browns continued to use it as a private seasonal residence for their family for over a decade.
By the early 1990s, the Browns made the decision to turn Mallard Cottage into a rental property. Duck had become an increasingly popular tourist destination on the Outer Banks, and the Browns realized they could allow others to enjoy their special property when they weren’t using it themselves.
In 1995, the first guests booked vacations at Mallard Cottage and it officially opened as a rental. The Browns were committed to preserving the history and ambiance of the home while outfitting it for visitors. The cottage sleeps up to 8 guests and has maintained its quaint, comfortable beach house feel to this day.
Mallard Cottage Transferred to a Trust
By the 2000s, Mallard Cottage had become one of the most popular and beloved rental cottages in Duck. The Browns had a many loyal returning guests who booked their vacations there year after year.
When the Browns decided to retire and move off the Outer Banks in 2010, they wanted to ensure Mallard Cottage would be preserved and maintained for generations to come. So they made the unique decision to donate the property to a trust called the Save the Seas Trust.
The Save the Seas Trust is a non-profit dedicated to marine conservation and sustainability. Its mission is to protect and preserve coastal environments in North Carolina and beyond.
The Browns believed that donating Mallard Cottage to Save the Seas would be a fitting legacy for their cherished cottage. The rental income would help fund the trust’s marine conservation initiatives up and down the Outer Banks coastline that they loved.
Mallard Cottage Today
Today, Mallard Cottage continues to operate as a popular vacation rental property on the Outer Banks, as it has since the 1990s. It is still owned by the Save the Seas Trust and managed locally by the vacation rental company Twiddy & Company.
Though no longer under private ownership, Mallard Cottage maintains its original charm and warm ambiance thanks to thoughtful upkeep and preservation. Everything from the cedar shingle siding to the cozy living room fireplace remains untouched from the Browns’ days of ownership.
The Save the Seas Trust has made few changes aside from necessary maintenance and updates. Recent upgrades like a new HVAC system and fresh paint keep Mallard Cottage looking its best while retaining its historic character.
Guests booking vacations at Mallard Cottage today are helping support the Save the Seas Trust’s mission of protecting the coastal environments that draw so many visitors to the Outer Banks each year. The rental income helps fund marine conservation programs up and down the North Carolina coast.
So while no single person owns Mallard Cottage anymore, its stewardship by the Save the Seas Trust keeps its legacy alive. Guests feel good knowing their vacation rental dollars are supporting a meaningful cause close to the hearts of all who love the Outer Banks.
Mallard Cottage’s Current Amenities
Though the ownership and management of Mallard Cottage has evolved over the decades, its amenities and features that delight guests remain consistent.
Some current amenities and details that make Mallard Cottage special include:
- 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms providing room for up to 8 guests
- Cozy living room with stone fireplace and vaulted ceilings
- Spacious screened porch overlooking the Currituck Sound
- Updated full kitchen with granite counters and stainless appliances
- Washer/dryer, central A/C, WiFi, cable TVs
- Large outdoor deck with seating, propane grill, and outdoor shower
- Prime location in the heart of Duck just steps from the Currituck Sound
- Décor and details preserving the original feel of a classic Outer Banks cottage
These features and details have made Mallard Cottage a favorite among travelers for decades. First-time visitors as well as returning guests appreciate the balance of modern amenities and historic charm.
The Save the Seas Trust has been careful to maintain what makes Mallard Cottage special while upgrading systems and features as needed. They know generations of guests have cherished their stays here, and want to provide a consistently enjoyable and memorable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about the unique ownership and management structure of Mallard Cottage:
How does the Save the Seas Trust operate?
The Save the Seas Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to protecting coastal environments, primarily along the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They own several rental properties, including Mallard Cottage, and use 100% of profits to help fund their marine conservation initiatives like beach cleanups, nesting turtle patrols, education programs, and more.
Is Mallard Cottage still available for vacation rentals?
Absolutely! Mallard Cottage operates just as it has for decades – as a popular rental cottage in Duck, NC available for weekly summer rentals. The Save the Seas Trust employs a local vacation rental company, Twiddy & Company, to handle reservations and management. Guests can book stays through Twiddy or other channels as they would any Outer Banks rental home.
Who takes care of maintenance and upkeep on Mallard Cottage?
Twiddy & Company handles routine housekeeping, maintenance, and administrative tasks as property managers. For larger projects and renovations, the Save the Seas Trust maintains a maintenance fund and contracts licensed contractors on the Outer Banks to complete upgrades carefully designed to protect the historic integrity of Mallard Cottage.
How long has Mallard Cottage been owned by the trust?
The Save the Seas Trust took ownership of Mallard Cottage in 2010 when the Brown family generously donated it. So it has been owned by the trust for just over a decade now and continues to fund their important conservation work through rental income.
Is Mallard Cottage ever used directly by Save the Seas for events or programs?
Rarely. As a historic rental cottage, Mallard Cottage is almost exclusively used to provide lodging for vacation rental guests. On very limited occasions, Save the Seas may use the cottage for small donor or volunteer events a few times a year when unoccupied. But well over 90% of its use is for rented stays.
Reviews from Mallard Cottage Guests
Don’t just take our word for it – here are firsthand reviews from recent guests raving about their stays at Mallard Cottage:
“We had an amazing time! The cottage was so clean and nicely decorated. You can tell they really care about keeping the integrity of the original home. Amazing views of the sound and such a great location. We look forward to coming back!” – Sarah R. (June 2022)
“Mallard Cottage exceeded our expectations. What a beautiful historic place with such character. The screened porch was our favorite spot. We felt so relaxed and refreshed after a week here. We didn’t want to leave!” – Brian M. (August 2022)
“Our family absolutely loved Mallard Cottage! It had plenty of space for us all and all the amenities we needed for a great beach trip. Knowing our rental helped support ocean conservation made it even better. We’ll definitely be repeat renters!” Emily D. (July 2022)
“A dream beach cottage with the coziest vibes! You can really feel the history in a place like this. The location couldn’t be better either. Right across from the sound and minutes from the beach and everything. An unforgettable vacation – can’t wait to come back!” Mark P. (September 2022)
Conclusion
The unique ownership history and non-profit management make Mallard Cottage special among Outer Banks rentals. Though no longer under private ownership, great care has been taken for decades to preserve this historic seaside cottage.
Renting Mallard Cottage supports the important conservation initiatives funded by the Save the Seas Trust. Guests can enjoy a memorable vacation in a nostalgic Outer Banks setting while contributing to marine protection efforts.
From its origins as a 1950s family beach house to its new purpose benefitting coastal conservation, Mallard Cottage remains a beloved rental property thanks to thoughtful stewardship. TheMallard family would surely be proud to know their modest cottage now helps sustain the shores they cherished for generations.
