Five Ways to Celebrate Somerville's History During Preservation Month

Learn to repair old windows, take a bike tour of Somerville's old industrial sites and check out beautifully preserved historic homes during Preservation Month.

May is Preservation Month, a time when Somerville celebrates its history. Here are some events happening this month, courtsy of the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission: Saturday, May 11th, 10am-3pm.  Workshop on “Repairing Versus Replacing Your Old Windows,” led by David Liberty, founder of a long-standing Boston business, windowrepair.com.  Takes place at the Somerville Museum at One Westwood Road, at the corner of Central St.   Hands-on demonstration of work on an actual window removed from the Museum.  Limited to 15, giving individual attention to attendees.   $50 per person, with proceeds benefitting the Somerville Museum Building Fund.  Sunday, May 12th, 2-5pm.  The 12th Annual Historic Bike Tour “Industrial Somerville, Past …

• Photos (2)

Volunteer Opportunity: Ever Want to Dress in Colonial Garb?

Well, you're in luck. The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission is seeking volunteers for Patriot's Day ceremonies on April 15.

This Patriot's Day, celebrated on April 15, a man on horseback will reenact Paul Revere's famous 1775 ride to Lexington. Revere rode through what is now Somerville that night, and his modern counterpart will do the same, stopping at Foss Park to say hello. The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission is seeking volunteers to help with the ceremony. The commission needs adults and high school students to help lead colonial games, serve refreshments and stamp "Colonial Passports." Best of all, volunteers will get to dress in Colonial costumes. If you're interested, you'll need to be free from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 15 (it's a holiday, after all). Contact Brandon Wilson at BWilson@somervillema.gov or (617) 625-6600 ext. 2532 to learn …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (2)

Video Blog: Conversation With Art Conservator, Historic Somerville President Barbara Mangum

Barbara Mangum talks about the importance of saving historic objects and how she got into the world of art conservation.

New Year's Day Grand Union Flag Raising Ceremony in Somerville

The first flag of the American colonies was raised on Prospect Hill on New Year's Day in 1776. The annual ceremony in Somerville celebrates that moment.

The following was sent by the city of Somerville: GRAND UNION FLAG RAISING KICKS OFF AT 11:30am ON JANUARY 1ST 237th Flag Raising Commemorated Atop Prospect Hill by City Officials, Residents, and “George Washington” on Horseback. SOMERVILLE - Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Historic Preservation Commission Director Brandon Wilson announced that the 237th annual "Grand Union" flag-raising ceremony at Prospect Hill Park will be held on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.  A processional led by a re-enactor portraying General George Washington on horseback will leave from the City Hall Concourse at 11:30 a.m.  As always, members of the public are invited to participate, and are encouraged to wear traditional colonial clothing.  The annual …

• Photos (1)

PHOTOS: USS Constitution Sets Sail

The USS Constitution sailed under its own power for the first time in 15 years Sunday. Here are some photos.

The USS Constitution set sail, Sunday, for the first time in 15 years to celebrate the battle against the HMS Guerriere in which Charlestown's jewel earned its nickname. The above photos come from its departure from its home dock in Charlestown. Crews used ropes to haul the legendary ship away from the dock before a tugboat assisted its trip into the harbor.  The crew began to deploy the Constitution's sails within view of the Charlestown piers, but did not fully open them until further away.

• Photos (15)

Beautiful Historic Church: Saint Ann's in Winter Hill Reconnects with History

Saint Ann's received a significant makeover that brought out its historic attributes.

The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission held its Historic Preservation Awards cermony in May, and this summer Somerville Patch will feature the homes and properties that won awards. Somerville writer Marian Berkowitz interviewed the winners to create profiles of the historic Somerville properties and the people who care for them. In this article, Berkowitz looks not at a home, but at a church: Saint Ann's in Winter Hill, which recently underwent a renovation that included disguising the elevator equipment to blend in better with the building, restoring windows, adding a garden and conducting important work to the facade.  Here's what Berkowitz wrote: On an overcast Sunday morning I am scheduled to interview Peter Regan, business …

• Photos (2)

Beautiful Historic Home: Spring Hill House With Musical Past and Stained Glass

Neal Minahan and Robert Vigneau fixed up their Westwood Road home, steps from the Somerville Museum, and learned about its musical original owner.

The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission held its Historic Preservation Awards cermony in May, and this summer Somerville Patch will feature the homes and properties that won awards. Somerville writer Marian Berkowitz interviewed the winners to create profiles of the historic Somerville properties and the people who care for them. In this article, Berkowitz visits the Spring Hill home of Neal Minahan and Robert Vigneau, whose 1898 house has a musical past and a large stained glass window. Here it is: In mid-June I visited 8 Westwood Road, situated on one of my favorite streets in the City. The street is part of a much larger local historic district known as the Westwood Road District which is tucked in between Summer Street and …

• Photos (2)

Beautiful Historic Home: Davis Square Bed and Breakfast

Ron and Linde Dynneson have restored a grand Morrison Avenue home and turned it into the Morrison House Bed & Breakfast.

The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission held its Historic Preservation Awards cermony in May, and this summer Somerville Patch will feature the homes and properties that won awards. Somerville writer Marian Berkowitz interviewed the winners to create profiles of the historic Somerville properties and the people who care for them. In this profile, Berkowitz tells the story of the Morrison House Bed & Breakfast outside Davis Square.  Here it is: Heading west on Morrison Avenue toward College Avenue, you can't miss the Morrison House Bed & Breakfast on the right, as it has a sign on the front. It looks like a lovely, quiet place to stay, even though it’s just outside the lively Davis Square commercial district. Homes on this street …

• Photos (1)

Beautiful Historic Home: Atop Prospect Hill, a House with a Turret—and a Murder Story

James and Dina Traniello inherited the family home, restoring the exterior and learning a gruesome story about one of its original inhabitants—a young woman who was murdered while away at college.

The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission held its Historic Preservation Awards cermony in May, and this summer Somerville Patch will feature the homes and properties that won awards. Somerville writer Marian Berkowitz interviewed the winners to create profiles of the historic Somerville properties and the people who care for them. Today, Berkowitz writes about James and Dina Traniello, who live in a house with a turret at the top of Prospect Hill. The late 19th-century home has been in the Traniello family since 1946, and it was once home to a young woman who was murdered during her senior year at Smith College. Here's Berkowitz's story: Near the top of Prospect Hill is Boston Street where I meet James and Dina Traniello, who …

• Photos (2)

Beautiful Historic Home: Couple Took Chance on Davis Square House in 1969

The Colanninos saw the potential in a "dilapidated" Orchard Street home when they bought it 43 years ago. Today, it's a stunning historic home in Davis Square with a decorative gate.

The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission held its Historic Preservation Awards cermony in May, and this summer Somerville Patch will feature the homes and properties that won awards. Somerville writer Marian Berkowitz interviewed the winners to create profiles of the historic Somerville properties and the people who care for them. Today, Berkowitz takes a look at the Colanninos, who bought their Davis Square house in 1969 when it was in rough shape and have turned it into a beautiful home without—and this is key—a chain-link fence. Here it is: Just outside Davis Square at the corner of Chester and Orchard Streets is a house you cannot possibly miss as it’s a beautifully maintained and restored Queen Anne house.  Its historic name is…

• Photos (2)