The Sunnyvale Sun
News
Murphy House project to break ground
By JASON GOLDMAN-HALL
On Sept. 2, 1956, the Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association was formed to save the Murphy House from demolition. But after years of work, the association ultimately lost the battle. In 1961, the house was razed so Central Expressway could be built.
"We felt that it was worth saving, and the state agreed, but the city council tore it down," said Mary West, 85, a charter member of the original historical society who now lives in Santa Rosa.
Even with the house leveled, the historical society never gave up its quest, and the current incarnation--under the leadership of Planning Commissioner Laura Babcock--is nearing completion of a project to bring the house back to Sunnyale.
"It's such a wonderful thing that all of this fell into place this month, 50 years later," said Babcock, the historical society chairwoman.
The Sunnyvale City Council approved on Sept. 12 the agreement between the city and the historical society for design, development and construction of the home--now planned as a heritage museum--at the Heritage Center at the Sunnyvale Community Center.
On Sept. 30, the historical society--after almost a decade of work--will break ground at the Heritage Center. Babcock said construction should begin close to 60 days after the groundbreaking. Originally she had hoped that work could begin the next day, but after receiving $600,000 from the state, the project has to go out to bid for a contractor.
Babcock said a number of firms have expressed interest in the museum's construction, including Gilroy's Kent Construction. Kent has done a number of historical projects in Sunnyvale including moving the Bianchi Barn for the historical society.
Once final design plans are drawn up and agreed upon, the historical society will begin designing the museum exhibits to go inside the house, which will highlight different parts of Sunnyvale and the South Bay's development and history.
The $600,000 grant from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment Office was the final boost the project needed to reach its financial goal.
The entire project has a budget of almost $2.4 million, and fundraising efforts were going strong since the city and historical society agreed on the project in June of 2004.
Those fundraising efforts have including business donations and individual contributions from community members who bought engraved tiles and bricks to be placed around the house. Bricks purchased by Murphy family descendents will be placed in a stylized family tree.
Babcock said that while construction won't be starting immediately as hoped, the groundbreaking will still be a great event. West--along with other local officials and dignitaries--will be on hand.
"It will all be worth it in the end; it's a great sense of accomplishment on a community project for the city," Babcock said.
The Heritage Park Museum groundbreaking will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 30. The actual groundbreaking ceremony itself will be at 11:45 a.m. Swamp Foot will provide live music, and a barbecue lunch will be available. There will also be an antique and collectibles sale, with all proceeds benefiting the museum.
For more information, visit www.heritageparkmuseum.org or call 408.736.4713.
