The Francis Parnell Murphy Museum & Historical Archive

05/21/2024

💥Just Listed💥 +🎈 Open House 🎈
Minutes to skiing at Mount Sunapee, or boating in Lake Sunapee, step back in time with the enchanting historic Cape, originally built in 1880, yet thoughtfully updated to meet today's modern comforts.
— 5 BR | 3 BA | 1 acre | 2,801 SqFt + income property potential
— Asking $420,000

🏡✨ 25 Spring Street, Newport, NH Open house Sunday, May 26th from 11:00am to 1:00pm
🔗 https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/25-Spring-St-Newport-NH-03773/86872791_zpid/

Property Features:
Separate detached garage and in/law, entertainment or income space "The Lodge"
3 working fireplaces (one made with New Hampshire white quartz)
Copper sink
Solarium

🏡 Listing Agent Chris Lavallee 1.603.472.3900 for more details!

05/21/2024

💥Just Listed💥 +🎈 Open House 🎈
The Governor Francis Parnell Murphy home is now for sale.

Minutes to skiing at Mount Sunapee, or boating in Lake Sunapee, step back in time with the enchanting historic Cape, originally built in 1880, yet thoughtfully updated to meet today's modern comforts.
— 5 BR | 3 BA | 1 acre | 2,801 SqFt + income property potential
— Asking $420,000

🏡✨ 25 Spring Street, Newport, NH Open house Sunday, May 26th from 11:00am to 1:00pm
🔗 https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/25-Spring-St-Newport-NH-03773/86872791_zpid/

Property Features:
Separate detached garage and in/law, entertainment or income space "The Lodge"
3 working fireplaces (one made with New Hampshire white quartz)
Copper sink
Solarium

🏡 Listing Agent Chris Lavallee 1.603.472.3900 for more details!

05/16/2024

The Murphy Home here in Newport is now officially for sale.

Again, we want to thank everyone in the town of Newport for all of their kindness, interest and support over the years.

Everything that we purchased and collected has been given in whole to the Newport Historical Society along with all of my notes and research on Governor Murphy's life, legacy, achievements and contributions that have largely been lost to history. My hope now, as it always has been...is that more people will be aware of all that this remarkable man achieved.

The Newport Historical Society already had 31 boxes of artifacts, photos and memorabilia from the 1994 estate sale. They are cataloguing everything and will be putting together an exhibit with two of the nice pull up banners. I'll let everyone know when that exhibit is supposed to open!

Much love in history,
Ken

03/16/2024

The End of the Road

It's been quite some time since we had free time to continue this project due to a heavy workload, but we wanted to announce that we've decided to sell Francis P. Murphy Home/formerly the Herrick Farm...listing the property on June 1st.

Over the years the descendants of the Governor Murphy and the Herrick family have been incredibly kind with their support, and bringing both memories and artifacts "home". We wanted to let the family know as soon as possible in the event you want some of these family memorabilia back.

The remainder of the collection that I had acquired over the years and anything the family doesn't want...will be donated to the Newport Historical Society who already has a large amount from the 1994 estate sale.

We will be holding a large moving sale Memorial Day Weekend to sell off some antiques and collectibles not related to the family as we'll be downsizing, simplifying and moving out of state. We want to thank everyone who have supported us and made us feel welcome here over the years. The entirety of the collection has already been digitized and it's my intent to finish putting together a biography on his life once we're settled to at least put a proper bookend on this project. It's been a privilege to help people rediscover the accomplishments of this remarkable man...and I hope he won't be forgotten again.

All our love, Kenneth Vigue

05/31/2023

IN THE PRESS! WMUR Channel 9's Chronicle did a segment on the history of WMUR radio, TV and a short bit on the life of Governor Francis Parnell Murphy.

We recorded it to share for people who didn't catch it on TV. :)

Shot here in Newport, New Hampshire.

05/30/2023

TONIGHT on !
The WMUR story shot here will be live at 7pm ET on

05/30/2023

This is happening tonight on WMUR Channel 9!

BIG NEWS!
On Tuesday, May 30th, NH Chronicle NH Chronicle will be airing the segment they shot here on the life on Governor Francis P. Murphy and the founding WMUR-TV!

05/18/2023

BIG NEWS!
On Tuesday, May 30th, NH Chronicle NH Chronicle will be airing the segment they shot here on the life on Governor Francis P. Murphy and the founding WMUR-TV!

04/28/2023

NH Chronicle will be filming in Newport again on Monday about Governor Francis Parnell Murphy and the creation WMUR Radio and TV! I’ll share when the airdate will be. 🙂

12/07/2022

Life and work has kept things very busy and delayed this project quite a bit. BUT excitingly, WMUR-TV’s Sean Mcdonald reached out and will be shooting here next month for a NH Chronicle segment on the history of WMUR and Governor Francis Parnell Murphy. We will keep everyone posted on an air date.

12/25/2020

Holidays bring more artifacts home. In this 1935 copy of Yankee Magazine, Francis P Murphy shares a history of shoemaking in New Hampshire from someone who lived it!