Historic Somerville

Upcoming Events

Charles William of Somerville and the History of the Telephone

Gilmore G Cooke, PE, Chair of the History and Milestones Committee of the IEEE, Boston section

The Somerville Museum, One Westwood Road, Thursday, September 9th, 7:30pm

Ghost of Somerville is coming up, save the date

Check the web site for volunteer opportunities

6th annual presentation in Milk Row Cemetery. October 16th, 17th raindate

Membership Drive join today

Hear Ye Hear Ye - spread the word - read HS Newsletter issue 4

I am not only asking you to renew your membership in Historic Somerville for 2010, but I am also asking you to help us grow our membership numbers. The membership fee is a tax-deductible donation of $25 per individual and it funds most of the activities that we undertake throughout the year. Recently, your contributions allowed us to purchase more historically accurate 18th c. clothing and Colonial artifacts for members and the public who participated in the Foss Park Patriots’ Day event, giving it a fun and educational flair. In 2009, we were able to buy more professional signage and postcards announcing The Ghosts of Somerville performance, to donate $100 to the History Day fund at the Kennedy School, and to hold three historical lectures for the public on architecture, the West Branch Library, and diners. (See enclosed newsletter for more details). In addition, members of Historic Somerville gave a tour of the Milk Row Cemetery for Preservation month, edited a walking tour guide for the Powder House area of the City in conjunction with the City’s Historic Preservation Commission, helped produce the 2009 and 2010 Patriots’ Day Events, and publicized our activities at Art Beat and Tufts Community Day. We also held our first ever holiday party at the Somerville Museum for members complete with holiday feast and music. We have grown our membership to 32 individuals.

That’s right. Thirty-two members out of a City of 77,478 according to the last census. If you have lived here for any length of time, you know what amazing history we are heirs to in this town. But we have to keep it alive and relevant for all. This rich history (not just Somerville’s importance in the Revolutionary War, but the combination of all of our stories) deserves high quality research and documentation to make it personal and we need to explore new ways to enliven it and bring it to the public –new residents and old. If we are to preserve the best of Somerville for our future, we have to understand it and appreciate it. To be a force in this creation, we need to have broad support throughout every demographic in the City. Please join us in our efforts. Thank you so much!