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The Murphy House Fishermen’s Museum is a collaborative project between the Phippsburg Historical Society and the Phippsburg Historic Preservation Commission. In 2002 the commission received a demolition request for the John Murphy house in the village of Sebasco. The 12’ x 15’ vernacular dwelling was donated to the town and moved to a temporary location. In 2014 the Phippsburg Historical Society board of directors voted to accept the restored building. It will be moved to the historical society property where it will be open to the public with exhibits on Phippsburg fishing heritage and coastal village life, musical traditions and culture, and the Malaga Island experience.
As part of the historical society’s collection the house will be interpreted with text panels, historic photographs of the interior as well as the extant remnants of insulation as a typical modest coastal village dwelling from the first half of the twentieth century. The building will also be the focal point for celebrating the fishing tradition in Phippsburg, both historical and contemporary. Objects for display will include traditional fishing gear, a locally built boat by Alton Wallace, wooden lobster traps and other fishing gear. Musical traditions in the villages will be illustrated with instruments such as a fiddle and spoons, photographs, and recordings including those of Ivan Murphy. Wiring for a sound system is included in plans for the interior.
The historical society and the Historic Preservation Commission have raised more than $36,000 for the project through grants and fundraising activities. The exterior was largely restored By local builders s in the fall of 2016 with funds from a grant from the Davis Family Foundation. Approximately $40,000 is still needed to complete the move and restoration and provide an endowment fund for the building’s future needs.
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