The Murray House Project
Preserve a Landmark. Protect a Story. Restore a Piece of Port Royal.
The Murray House Restoration Project is dedicated to preserving one of Port Royal’s most important surviving historic structures. Identified in the Port Royal Historic District documentation as the John Murray House, this mid-18th-century dwelling at 335 King Street reflects the town’s early architectural character and enduring place in Virginia’s history. Historic documentation describes it as a three-bay, one-and-a-half-story frame building with two exterior
end brick chimneys and a foundation of Flemish bond brick propped with fieldstones.
Why the Murray House Matters
Port Royal is one of Virginia’s oldest river communities, and its historic district is valued for preserving the appearance of an early Tidewater port town. Within that setting, the Murray House stands as one of the town’s notable mid-18th-century buildings, helping tell the story of everyday life, craftsmanship, commerce, and community in colonial Virginia. Its continued survival gives present and future generations a tangible connection to Port Royal’s past.
Historic places like the Murray House do more than mark time. They help communities remember who they are. They connect architecture to people, landscapes to local memory, and preservation to education. Restoring this structure is an investment in Port Royal’s identity and in the stories that shaped the town.
Our Vision for Restoration
The goal of the Murray House Restoration Project is to stabilize, preserve, and restore the structure with care and respect for its historic integrity. This effort is about more than repairing an old building. It is about safeguarding an irreplaceable landmark so it can continue to serve as a source of learning, pride, and heritage for the community.
Through restoration, we hope to:
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Protect the building from further deterioration
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Preserve significant historic features and materials
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Strengthen public appreciation for Port Royal’s architectural heritage
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Support heritage tourism and community engagement
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Create opportunities for interpretation, education, and storytelling
A Community Preservation Effort
Restoration takes vision, partnership, and community support. The Murray House project invites residents, historians, preservation supporters, donors, and visitors to take part in protecting this remarkable property. Every contribution helps move the project forward and ensures that this important structure remains part of Port Royal’s historic landscape.
Whether through financial support, advocacy, volunteerism, or simply sharing the story, community involvement plays a vital role in the future of the Murray House.
