Shelton McMurphey Johnson House raising funds to expand with new outdoor terrace
Since the historic Shelton McMurphey Johnson House opened as a museum in 1997, it has brought in countless visitors wanting to tour the Victorian-style building tucked on the hill south of Skinner Butte, but it has also been constrained by its size.
Leah Murray, the museum's executive director, said because the house consists of four small rooms, it can't hold more than 50 people, and groups of more than 10 or 12 can't be in the same tour.
To allow for larger gatherings, the museum is conducting a capital campaign to build a 5,400-square-foot "Garden Terrace" and patio space in the wooded area on the east side of the building that would be open to the public. While the building size would still limit how many can be inside, Murray said the deck and patio would let them host larger events, such as weddings, concerts or educational presentations.
"Out in this big open space, you can get more people," Murray said outside the museum on Thursday. "We host weddings now, but as you can see our yard is kind of small."
The house was first built in 1888, and is often referred to as the “Castle on the Hill” because of its panoramic views of Eugene and the surrounding hills. It is owned by the city of Eugene and operated as a museum by theno-profit Shelton McMurphey Johnson Associate.
Since the campaign started in April the museum has raised $11,000 in donations, out of its $616,000 goal, Murray said Thursday. Murray said she hopes to have the wooden terrace and stone patio completed and usable by spring 2023. The goal is to make the outdoor seating area a "neighborhood asset," Murray said, providing a seating area on the east of Skinner Butte that would also connect pedestrians to the Market District to the east.
"It's been really fun to talk with people about the possibilities, I have a couple that wants to use it next spring, and the Oregon Mozart Players and I have been talking about doing an event together," Murray said. "They want to bring a grand piano, and I can't get one in the house. So (the terrace) will be built with a ramp so we can roll it on."
A large maple tree will be removed for the project on the far east side of the property, which has been slated for removal previously. The tree has been rotting at the base and has lost large sections of the trunk during storms recently, according to the museum's website.
Another small cedar tree close to the larger trees will be removed as well. Otherwise the museum will be working around the existing trees, and the wooden deck portion will be raised to not touch the roots, the website states.
The museum will be hosting multiple events to raise money and spread word about the fundraising. One will be July 5 at Falling Sky Delicatessen's Tuesday Pint Night, at 790 Blair Blvd. One dollar from every craft beer, wine or cider between 3 and 9 p.m. that day will go toward the campaign.
More about the project and printable donation forms are available at smjhouse.org/gardenterrace/ccsupport.
Louis Krauss covers breaking news for The Register-Guard. Contact him at lkrauss@registerguard.com, and follow him on Twitter @LouisKraussNews.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Shelton McMurphey Johnson House fundraising for outdoor terrace expansion
