The Sunnyvale Historical Society was formed in 1956 for the purpose of saving the Murphy family home, which was purchased by the City of Sunnyvale in 1953.
In 1960, the Society succeeded in convincing the State of California to designate the Murphy family home as California Registered Historical Landmark No. 644. In spite of this recognition, the house was demolished in 1961.
A small museum was created in Murphy Park to preserve and display saved artifacts saved from the Murphy house and other items pertaining to Sunnyvale history.
Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association Inc. (SHSMA) was incorporated in 1979 as a non-profit organization.
In 1994, the City of Sunnyvale preserved ten acres of Blenheim apricot trees to celebrate the important contribution of orchards to the early development of the local economy. The orchard was designated as Heritage Orchard Park by the Historical Society in 1997.
Funding was secured in 2002 to build an approximate replica of the Murphy home as a museum to be located on Sunnyvale Community Center land next to the Heritage Orchard Park.
In 2008, construction of the Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum was finished and a Grand Opening was celebrated.
Vision Statement
The vision of the SHSMA is to be a renowned history center and research library for Silicon Valley and beyond.
Mission Statement
The mission of the society is to make known to the residents of Sunnyvale and neighboring communities, the heritage of Sunnyvale through the actions of preservation, promotion, education, and coordination. Our collections and exhibitions are designed to inspire curiosity and conversations about our city’s past, and thus help ensure that these stories will be recorded and shared for generations to come.
Sign near the current museum.
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