Calendar of Events

Throughout the month of May, the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) partners with other local organizations to host events honoring Somerville’s history and historic assets. All events are open to the public and free unless otherwise noted.

 Saturday, May 2nd, 10am – noon. The SHPC, in concert with the Union Square Main Streets staff, is sponsoring a “Jane’s Walk” to honor urban activist and writer, Jane Jacobs. A world-wide event, this year’s walk will explore the south Prospect Hill neighborhood of Union Square. It will end in time for lunch in the Square and visits to various Somerville Open Art Studios from noon to 6pm. Rain or shine. Meet at Union Square Plaza in front of the former police station. For more information about Jane’s Walks see janejacobswalk.org
 Sunday, May 3rd , 2:00-4:30pm. Walking Tour of East Somerville: “Columns, Cornices, & Corner Boards: Cherished Designs of East Somerville.” Edward Gordon, President of the New England Chapter of the Victorian Society in America, will lead a lively and informative tour exploring both historic properties on residential streets and the newly renovated Broadway. Sponsored in collaboration with East Somerville Main Streets, the walk begins at the Mt. Vernon Restaurant at 14 Broadway and concludes with complimentary appetizers at La Brasa Restaurant on Broadway. Rain date May 10th.
 Sunday, May 17th , 2-3pm. Dyan Blewett & Vilma Sullivan, certified Principal Gardeners with the Mass. Master Gardening Assoc., share their recent research into the topic of Somerville’s agrarian past. Somerville Museum, One Westwood Road. Free for HS members or $8 for others. Info@historicsomerville.org or 617-666-9810 or HistoricSomerville.org
 Tuesday, May 19th, 6:00-8:00pm. Launching of “Milk Row Cemetery Public Openings.” The Docent Program started two years ago begins anew with an early evening opening to the public of this fragile burial ground. Dressed in period clothing Barbara Mangum, Objects Conservator and President of Historic Somerville will lead an informative tour from 6:30-7:30pm, about this historic and very compact cemetery founded in 1804 by Samuel Tufts on farmland once part of Charlestown. Come find out about whose buried here, the extraordinary monument dedicated to Somerville soldiers fallen during the Civil War, and recent municipal enhancements. Time for browsing and light refreshments happen both before and after the tour. Meet at the front gate at 439 Somerville Avenue, next to Demoulas’ Market Basket. Rain or shine. Other public openings with docents will happen once a month from June-October at different times.
 Sunday, May 24th: Memorial Day Parade. Join the Historic Somerville contingent! Dress up in period clothing. Begins at City Hall and ends at Clarendon Hill. For more information contact admin@historicsomerville.org Rain or shine.
 Tuesday, May 26th, noon-10pm. Support Historic Somerville’s 2015 Local Lecture Series! Enjoy
a refreshing snack anytime from noon-9pm at Orange Leaf Yogurt at 256 Elm St. in Davis Square and 10% of your purchase will be donated to help sponsor periodic talks at the Somerville Museum.
 Thursday, May 28th, 6:30-9:00pm. Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony. A reception, with light refreshments, will be followed by the 20th Annual ceremony to honor 11 Somerville owners for their award-winning preservation work on the exterior of their properties. The properties include both historically designated homes as well as older buildings in the City. SHS students will present their original drawings of each property to the owners. The event takes place in the historically unique space within the Somerville Armory, 191 Highland Avenue. Also see interviews with individual owners in local newspapers throughout the coming months, and the mobile exhibit at Century Bank.
 Wednesday, May 20th, 7-8:30pm. A talk “Researching the History of Your House and Your Family,” will be given by 2 key resources — Kristi Chase, Preservation Planner for the SHPC, and Kevin Kelley, Reference Librarian for the SPL Find out how each of these resources can help you research the histories of your house and family. Mini tour of genealogy resources at the library and beyond, as well as tips for getting started. Somerville Central Library, 79 Highland Avenue.
 Sunday, May 31st, 2-5pm. The 14th Annual Historic Bike Tour “Food, Flowers and Farming: All Flourishing Anew in Somerville.” Co-sponsored with the Somerville Bike Committee and Groundwork Somerville. This year’s theme takes us from one end of the City to the other, learning about Somerville’s new and ongoing “greening” initiatives in each of these areas. The guided ride, escorted by the Somerville Police, is designed for all ages and riding levels, and includes a couple of rest stops and an interior tour. Starts at City Hall at 2:00 pm and ends around 4:30pm, with light refreshments at Aeronaut Brewery. $3.00 donation appreciated.
For more information, contact SHPC Executive Director Brandon Wilson at 617-625-6600 x2532 or via bwilson@somervillema.gov or visit http://www.somervillema.gov/historicpreservation for updates, flyers, and photos.