Restoring the Historic Milk Shrine of Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Outta the Woods
- Apr 14
- 2 min read
If someone told me I'd spend my retirement rebuilding a milk shrine, I probably would’ve chuckled and gone back to my sawdust and resin. But here we are—and I couldn't be prouder!
In April 2025, a small team of passionate volunteers (armed with tools, patience, and a stubborn love for history) completed the restoration of the Milk Shrine at the First Murphy House in Carmel-by-the-Sea. What started as a weathered, broken-down display tucked beside a historic home became a deeply meaningful project—a tribute to Carmel’s dairy heritage and the people who helped build the town, one bottle of milk at a time.
The Milk Shrine isn’t your typical monument. It's a playful but heartfelt homage to the days when small dairies delivered fresh milk to Carmel’s early residents. It's filled with antique bottles, old photographs, and the spirit of simpler times. But time hadn’t been kind to it. By the time we stepped in, the structure was rotting, the roof was crumbling, and nails were doing more falling than holding.
Enter Outta the Woods, along with a few good men: Jeff Sogge, who generously donated materials and shared his know-how; Pete Boyle, a fellow Carmel Cares volunteer and partner in the build; and members of the Monterey Peninsula Woodworkers Guild. Together, we salvaged what we could, rebuilt what we had to, and restored the rest with as much care and authenticity as possible. Every board we placed, every nail we drove, was about preserving something more than wood—it was about honouring a story.
And on April 6, we delivered the restored shrine back to its rightful place at the First Murphy House, with a small crowd watching and smiling. There were laughs, maybe even a tear or two, and one very proud team of volunteer craftsmen.
This project reminded me of why I got into woodworking in the first place—not just to make things, but to make things that matter. If you find yourself in Carmel-by-the-Sea, swing by the corner of Lincoln and Sixth and see the Milk Shrine. You won’t find anything flashy. Just a bit of history, a lot of heart, and some damn fine woodwork.
Click the link below to view our presentation for this project to see the full restoration journey, from the first cracked shingle to the final delivery day—complete with photos, process highlights, and a few laughs along the way!
Project lead:
Brian Steckler, OuttaTheWoods
brian@steckler.com | 831.402.1584
In collaboration with Carmel Cares, Pacific Redwood Products, Pete Boyle, and the Monterey Peninsula Woodworkers Guild
Interested in teaming up on a restoration or custom woodworking project? Whether it's historic or just plain creative—I’d love to work with you. Let's connect!
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