Dedication Ceremony Set for Thomas B. Murphy Replica Office

The University of West Georgia is proud to announce that it will hold a dedication ceremony for the new Thomas B. Murphy State Capitol Office replica at Irvine S. Ingram Library on the UWG campus on Thursday, April 19.

The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. at the Campus Center Ballroom with a dedication program, followed by a reception and tours of the Murphy Office at 3:30 p.m. at Ingram Library.

Murphy, who served 28 years as speaker of the House of Representatives in the Georgia General Assembly, donated his political papers and the memorabilia from his office to UWG in 2003, as he was retiring. University staff sorted through more than 1,500 items in assembling a replica office that was constructed as part of a major renovation of Ingram Library that was recently completed.

When he left office, Murphy had served continuously as speaker of a state house longer than any other individual in the nation’s recorded history. He died in 2007.

The ceremony will mark the official opening of the office, and is expected to draw dignitaries and friends from across the state, including current and former lawmakers and journalists. The dedication will include remarks from some of the dignitaries, as well as a video tribute to Murphy’s legacy.

UWG and the Murphy family have established a fund to further honor the late speaker’s legacy of public service by developing a means for enhancing, upgrading and maintaining the Murphy office installation, for conservation and preservation of the Thomas B. Murphy Collection, and for the development of programs that explore and encourage civic engagement and active participation in the political process.  If you would like to join us in honoring Murphy’s legacy with a contribution to this important initiative, please contact Diane Homesley at 678-839-5035.