Meet Your Guide!

Dugan Murphy (he/him/his)

When I see someone in Portland who looks a little lost, I just can’t help myself. I really like helping people navigate my hometown and I especially enjoy meeting curious people and talking to them about history.

I am a full-time professional public historian, the official tour partner of Maine Historical Society, a graduate of the Portland History Docent Program, and a recipient of the University of Maine’s Dawnland – Maine Indian History Badge.

After several years as the most requested tour guide at another local tour company, in 2021 I decided to offer walking tours on my own in order to create even more intimate, surprising, and delightful experiences. I created tours to explore the underappreciated moments and people in Portland's history. The Black History Tour explores a population whose presence in the area predates the 13 colonies. The Hidden Histories Tour highlights people of all backgrounds and identities who tend to get ignored in official histories of the area.

Well over 31,000 people have taken guided tours with me. That’s the population of Bangor! Based on their reviews, Tripadvisor in 2023 named me Maine’s top-rated tour guide, #2 in New England, and #12 nationwide.

Aside from the nerdy history stuff, I also have a background in stage performance. As a Maine humorist and storyteller, I continue a Downeast tradition of oral history and wry comedy, and as a New England folk dance leader, I teach a living tradition to folks of all ages throughout North America.

I also did a bunch of formal education, earning a Master’s in Community Planning and certificates in geographic information science and historic preservation. That took a few years!

For 7 years I was the executive director of a nonprofit organization that trains archivists and museum professionals across Maine. I am also working on a book about my favorite figure from Portland history, John Neal. I do a lot of Wikipedia editing, too—you know, for fun. Outside of tours, you’re likely to catch me riding my bike around town—say hi!