By William Tauro
Somerville Mass, two time “All American City”, one of the most hippest cities in the country and one of the most politically active cities in the nation! But who would of ever thought that Somerville is the Bath Tub Marys Capital of the world?
Did you know that there are estimated almost five to six hundred “Bath Tub Marys” within Somerville’s city limits? Well, there are!
Follow a Somerville resident and librarian as she rides out a collapsed arch by walking every street in the city, taking pictures of every single yard shrine she finds. She began in earnest late summer of 2012 and has already documented over 350 statues with many more to go.
Photos by The Bathtub Marys of Somerville

Bow St. #570

Allen St., #569.



A much needed heart warming treat. Send from friend who was out for a stroll today with her brand spankin’ new Somerville kid.

Currently hanging at Sherman Cafe, in Union Square, Somerville. Stop by and check them out! New prints were added yesterday.
A collection of Bathtub Mary prints are currently on exhibit at the excellent Sherman Cafe, in Union Sq., and are for sale for $15. These are new prints that arrived in the mail today and will soon be added to the exhibit! Stop by Sherman and check them out!
An article in the Boston Herald about the project and exhibit, which is now up at the delicious Sherman Cafe, in Union Square. Stop by and check it out.
Kensington Ave. #523, #524 (same house as
Off McGrath Highway
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Somerville Ave. Did I do a U-turn and creep into driveway? For a Headless Mary, you bet I did. Bonus was finding the Jesus statue behind it. #509 and #510.
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#8: Craigie Street. A coworker’s backyard, sometime last week. The statue, a St. Anthony, is in for the winter, along with a Mary that is placed on the other side of the yard. I told her to be on the lookout for me in her backyard sometime this spring.

#7. Michigan Ave. Totally missed this on my hunt, and not only did my partner-in-crime of children’s librarianship find it, she snapped this photo for me today. AND it’s her uncle’s house, who also happened to hire me as the children’s librarian at the East Branch Library back in 1993. Thanks, Ann! Will get back to East Somerville soon to add this to my official count.

A treasure shared by someone I’ve come to know well enough at the library that the term ‘library patron’ just doesn’t capture it. Image is about 10 years old. I’ve known the girl in the tub about that long. She’s now a freshman in high school. Amazing girl and family. So fortunate to have the job I have.


Part of the “How Did I Miss This the First Time” collection. Bow St. #570

Follow a Somerville resident and librarian as she rides out a collapsed arch by walking every street in the city, taking pictures of every single yard shrine she finds. She began in earnest late summer of 2012 and has already documented over 350 statues.