As the only membership supported, community-based cultural institution of its kind in Somerville, the Somerville Museum is the City of Somerville's mirror, playing a central role in preserving the past, reflecting the present, and helping to shape the future of this diverse urban community of 76,000. Through its innovative programming, the Museum seeks to engage our audience in an on-going dialogue with local artists, scholars, and educators with the larger aim of fostering cultural education and understanding.
The Somerville Museum presents exhibitions featuring local visual arts, history and culture in the context of neighborhoods and community, as well as musical and dramatic performance series; develops hands-on history learning projects in collaboration with the Somerville Public School Department; and is available as a meeting place for local historical and cultural organizations.
The construction of the Museum’s brick Federal Revival style building was begun in the 1920's to house the growing collections of the Somerville Historical Society. In the 1980's, sensing a wonderful opportunity for cultural revitalization, a handful of committed individuals raised the funds to restore and fully renovate the building. The result was the opening in 1988 of the Somerville Museum. The Museum is located on the corner of Central Street, the geographic midline of city maps, in the literal heart of Somerville's residential neighborhoods
Coming Events
April 20 - May 18, 2012
Somerville Open Studios Artist Choice Show
OPENING: Friday April 20, 2012, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
About the Somerville Open Studios
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.
Stuart Brorson, The "Menace" of the Triple-Decker.
Stuart Brorson will discuss architectural features of the triple-decker and social concerns that grew up around this architecture in the late 1800s.
Sponsored by Historic Somerville
Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Books of Hope
Thursday May 31, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Somerville Historic Preservation Commission Awards
The Somerville Historic Commission - 2012 Nomination Process
Sunday, June 10th, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.
Militia Versus Regulars: Somerville's Role in America's War of Independence. Michael Bonislawski
Sponsored by Historic Somerville
Regular Gallery Hours
Thursdays 2 - 7 pm
Fridays 2 - 5 pm
Saturdays 12 - 5 pm and by appointment
