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Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House
303 Willamette Street
Eugene, OR 97401

Museum Hours
Tues-Fri: 10a-1p
Sat-Sun: 1-4p
And by appointment

541-484-0808

Admission
$5/Adults and teens
$1/Children 12 and under

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Send us an e-mail

The "Castle on the Hill."

Welcome to the Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House
Charming and historic, the Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House nestles on the south slope of Skinner Butte in downtown Eugene.

From 1888 to 1986, the Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House was home to three families: the Sheltons, the McMurpheys and the Johnsons. Each family made its unique contribution to the House and grounds, as well as to the City of Eugene, Oregon.

Tours Available
Docent-led interpretive tours and self-guided tours focus on the relationship of the House and its occupants to the growing community during its century as a residence, as well as details of architecture and decor. There are also special exhibits, which change periodically.

The Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House has been a landmark in Eugene for more than a century. Although many changes have been made over the years, the house - with its carved and turned exterior wood work, polygonal tower, ornate open porches, and large bay windows - remains Eugene's most elaborate example of Late Victorian Queen Anne Revival style architecture.

It was built in 1888 on a hill overlooking the city of Eugene, Oregon. The three families who occupied the house witnessed and contributed to the transformation of Eugene from a frontier farming town to a thriving education and commercial center. Known in its day as the "Castle on the Hill," the Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House stands as a classic example of Queen Anne-style Victorian mansion of the late 19th century. The house is now owned by the city and administered by the non-profit Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson Associates. It is open for viewing at scheduled times and for special tours by appointment.

The single most remarkable feature of the Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House landscaping is its setting on the south slope of Skinner Butte. In fact, when the house was built in 1888, it was often referred to as the "Castle on the Hill" because of the panoramic views of Eugene and the surrounding hills.

The original owners, Dr. T.W. Shelton and his wife, Adah, at one time owned all of Skinner Butte. The original estate has been greatly reduced in the area during the latter half of the 20th century. Today the property is a little over an acre in size.

The location of the house on a terrace with a commanding view is in the tradition of the Italian Renaissance villa or the English manor house. The main terrace afforded level ground for formal gardens to the east and west of the house, while to the south a series of hillside terraces offered the potential for additional gardens.

Gift Shop
A Victorian-style Gift Shop is open during House hours and offers gifts, books, teas and novelties.

Rentals
The House is available for private teas and gatherings of 50 people or less. For more information call (541) 484-0808 or email your inquiry to director@smjhouse.org

Become a Friend
You can become a Friend of the Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House by joining our membership at a level that best suits your needs. Give us a call or visit our web site.

Directions
The Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House is prominently located on the south side of Skinner's Butte in Eugene, Oregon.

From High Street, head north to 4th Avenue. Turn left onto East 4th Avenue at the 4-way stop and proceed one block to Pearl Street. Turn right onto Pearl Street and proceed one block to stop sign, turn left on East 3rd Ave. The road forks, stay left, over two speed bumps and drive past the Ya-Po-Ah Terrace building to the SMJ house.

Parking is adjacent to the House (off 3rd and Pearl) and in front of the House (across Shelton-McMurphey Boulevard).

Limited parking space is available at the house. Parking is recommended on 4th Avenue (directly across from the Amtrak Station) and steps lead to the house where visitors can enter by way of the front entry on the south elevation.