Thursday, 3/17/22
This week we want to show off all our railings – new and old. Next time you visit (hopefully, the project will be complete!) you might notice the staircase in the renovated reception area. This is not a new staircase, but rather we had it painted and replaced all the linoleum tiles with a sleek grey vinyl material. At the bottom of the stairs leading to the lower level you’ll notice a new railing designed to match the existing. This railing is necessary because of the step up at the bottom of the stairs created by the necessary waterproofing flooring material. Lastly, we just received our new Westwood Road exterior railings for the pedestrian entrance. You’ll notice that we took care to reiterate some of the design details from our Central Street entrance railing. So, while we’re not trying to recreate the older version, it was important to maintain some consistency in design.
An image of the staircase before renovation.
Detail of the staircase before renovation (i.e. paint and flooring).
The “new” staircase!
The “before” of the space at the bottom of the stairs on the lower level.
The “after” image showing the step up on the lower level and new hand railing to match the existing railing.
New railing at the Westwood Road pedestrian entrance.
Existing railing at the Central Street entrance.
Don’t miss upcoming events:
Voices from Somerville’s Italian Community: Thursday, March 24th at 6:30pm (virtual event) | Come hear members of the local Italian community tell their stories and talk about their work in Somerville’s neighborhoods and beyond! The panelists, all Somerville High School graduates, include: a politician whose father was the first Italian-American elected to the Somerville Board of Aldermen; a musician who played in Somerville clubs on the streets for Somerfest during the 60's and 70's; a Somerville resident whose uncle was part of the local Cosmas and Damian Society, celebrating the patron saints of Gaeta, Italy; and an attorney who was the first woman to lead an AmLaw 100 firm in the United States and one of the youngest when appointed managing partner at age 42. Before the panel, listen to a historian from Somerville discuss connections between Italian and U.S. history.
Kalliope Reed Quintet Community Concert: Friday, March 25th at 6pm (in-person event) | Join us for an evening of music and chocolate. A perfect complement to the Bittersweet exhibition. Through music, this program tours South America south to north starting in Argentina with Astor Piazzolla’s Tango Suite, Transoceanica by Miguel del Aguila (Uruguay) - musically depicting a bus adventure from Rio Brazil to Lima Peru. After arriving in Peru we will perform two works we commissioned by Pervian composer Daniel Cueto: Momentos Peruanos and Amaru, and complete the program with some new arrangements from Colombia. Admission is $10/person; Museum members free. Space is limited.
Bittersweet Closing Reception: Saturday, March 26th | 2-5pm | Admission is $5/person; members free.