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Thursday 2pm - 7pm Friday 2pm - 5pm Saturday 12pm - 5pm

Somerville Museum

Support local art, historical, and cultural programming this .

For over 100 years, the Somerville Museum has held space for the stories that shape our collective history. We are the only membership-supported cultural center of its kind in Somerville. Please help us continue to provide relevant exhibitions, musical performances, and community-curated programming.

11/27/2023

We're hiring! Are you interested in history? Do you like planning community events and working with volunteers? This might be the role for you! We've recently received funding for a new position, Historic Events Manager. Check out our website for more information: https://www.somervillemuseum.org/historic-events-manager

11/24/2023

We carry many unique items in our gift shop, from t-shirts, glass-blown bud vases, ornaments, glass pendants, books, postcards, and many more. The Museum will be open from 2-5 pm tomorrow for - see The Blue: the Celebration of a Color and visit our shop.

11/17/2023

"Blue" at the Somerville Museum is a dream pairing of curator and theme

"Martha Friend, best known for transforming her home into the landmark art house on the corner of Highland Avenue and Sycamore Street in Somerville. You can recognize it by the tiny outdoor gallery on the right front corner of the lawn, the silver horses on the front porch roof, and the blue and green glass sculptures surrounding it." Writes Greg Cook for Wonderland. Read the article in its entirety, link in bio.

Visit us during open hours, today Friday from 2pm - 5pm, and Saturday 12pm - 5pm

11/07/2023

Join us this Sunday, November 12th, from 2 PM - 3:30 PM as we delve into how the GI Bill changed America.

The Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1944 – better known as the GI Bill – has come down to us as one of the most significant pieces of legislation of the twentieth century. Most take it for granted today as a success story, but the truth is that the GI Bill nearly failed in Congress, and its practical effects were not what millions of veterans had a right to expect. In this presentation, we will delve into the story of the GI Bill, praising its virtues, even as we take account of its failures.

Space is limited, reserve your ticket in advance: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/veterans-day-event-the-gi-bill-and-how-it-changed-america-tickets-750146788237?aff=oddtdtcreator

About Dan Breen
Dan Breen is an Associate Professor of the Practice of Legal Studies at Brandeis University. After receiving a law degree at the University of Georgia, Breen received a Ph.D. in American History at Boston College. Breen has been teaching law at Brandeis part-time since 1998 and began the duties of a full-time instructor in the Legal Studies program in 2015. Breen is a resident of Somerville and a long-time member of the Somerville Museum. He is also an integral part of programs like Voices from Somerville, the Penny Chronicles exhibition, and many more events and programs.

11/04/2023

Join us for an open house of the Museum today from 2-5 PM to celebrate our Access for All and More project. You'll see the Blue: the Celebration of a Color Exhibit, meet Museum staff and Board Members, and tour the Museum.

Accessibility Improvements include:
* The new entrance will allow access to all three floors and public areas of this elegant building.
* All visitors will have the opportunity to see and appreciate the beautiful, newly restored, and historic double-flying staircase created by Charles Bulfinch in 1792 for a patron living in what is now Somerville.
* All visitors can hear live music performances, listen to stimulating lectures, and see thought-provoking exhibits.
* All visitors will be able to access the ADA-compliant restrooms.
* Access to the collections to be improved.
* Conservation of collection items that can be accessed for research due to improved climate control (2023-2024)
* Students, artists, researchers, and conservators can access a new multipurpose room.
* Civic cultural organizations can use the Museum as a cultural center again.
* As an ADA-compliant organization, the Museum will be eligible for federal and state grants.

ACCESS FOR ALL & More Campaign — Somerville Museum

10/30/2023

For over 100 years, the Somerville Museum has held space for the stories that shape our collective history. As we pivoted throughout the pandemic, we undertook a major renovation project to make the Museum more accessible.

Join us on November 4th from 2-5 p.m. as we celebrate this important milestone for our community.

Accessibility improvements include:

* The new entrance will allow access to all three floors and public areas of this elegant building.
* All visitors will have the opportunity to see and appreciate the beautiful, newly restored, and historic double-flying staircase created by Charles Bulfinch in 1792 for a patron living in what is now Somerville.
* All visitors can hear live music performances, listen to stimulating lectures, and see thought-provoking exhibits.
* All visitors will be able to access the ADA-compliant restrooms.
* Access to the collections to be improved.
* Conservation of collection items that can be accessed for research due to improved climate control (2023-2024)
* Students, artists, researchers, and conservators can access a new multipurpose room.
* Civic cultural organizations can use the Museum as a cultural center again.
* As an ADA-compliant organization, the Museum will be eligible for federal and state grants.

ACCESS FOR ALL & More Campaign — Somerville Museum ACCESS FOR ALL & More CampaignAccess for All & More Celebration Event: Saturday, November 4, 2023All donors who donate $1,000 or more will be included on an exterior donor recognition display. The last day donations can be included on this display is November 4, 2023. Donate today and be remembered....

10/27/2023

Experience Musical masterpieces of the German Baroque this Sunday, October 29th, from 3 PM - 4 PM.

Virtuoso recorder player Aldo Abreu joins Duo Maresienne (Olav Chris Henriksen, baroque lute; Carol Lewis, viola da gamba) in sonatas, concertos, fantasies, partitas and suites by Weiss, Baron, Telemann, Bach, and others.

Admission is $25 for the general public and $20 for students, seniors, and Museum members. Tickets are to be purchased at the Museum.

10/24/2023

Join us in celebrating the life and achievements of Phil Reavis on Thursday, October 26 at noon.

Community members are invited to celebrate the completion of the Phillip Reavis, Sr. Field, the high school's first-ever onsite field space. This 45,000 square foot practice field consists of artificial turf with a natural wood infill and is built in the area of a former steep slope behind the high school and adjacent to the new Gilman Square MBTA stop.

A ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 26, at noon at Philip Reavis, Sr. Field, located at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave.).

10/20/2023

Join us for a 'colorful' tour of BLUE: The Celebration of a Color with Community Curator Martha Friend tomorrow Oct. 21st from 5PM - 6PM. Explore all the wonder that is BLUE and discover whether it is everyone's favorite color.

Admission: $10; free to Somerville Museum members and visitors 12 years of age and under. (use code MEMBER). Link to tickets in bio.

10/14/2023

Curious about the color blue?

Join us and Richard Newman for a talk titled "The History of the Color Blue" on Tuesday, October 17th from 6PM - 7PM.

The talk will explore how blue has shaped human civilizations, art, and culture over the centuries. From its ancient origins to use in contemporary culture, this event will offer an engaging exploration into the enduring allure of color and its profound impact on humanity's story.

Visit the Blue: the Exploration of a Color today from 12PM - 5PM.

10/11/2023

An information session about the Community Curator Program is happening tonight at the Museum at 6 pm.

This program is open to everyone: artists, historians, collectors, curators, students, etc., and all are encouraged to apply. Proposal ideas can be on any topic, but the most successful applications include some combination of history, art, and culture and a relationship to the City of Somerville. Chosen applications will receive a seed grant of $2,500 towards exhibition costs. Get the link in the bio.

10/06/2023

Check out the video interview of Community Curator Martha Friend and the Somerville Museum’s Executive Director Alison Drasner.

https://youtu.be/uVN55kzStQw?feature=shared

Visit the Blue: the Celebration of a Color exhibit today until 5pm and tomorrow Saturday, 12PM - 5PM.

10/05/2023

Blue, throughout history, has held a special place in art, culture, and symbolism. In Blue: the Celebration of a Color showcases paintings, photography, installation, fashion, and video works of local artists who incorporate blue in their studio practice.

Visit us this week during open hours
Thursday, 2–7 pm
Friday, 2–5 pm
Saturday 12 pm - 5 pm

09/29/2023

***THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT*** If you have not already reserved a ticket we cannot promise we'll be able to accommodate you.

Kalliope in Blue concert happening this evening at 6PM. Tickets on link in bio.

Kalliope Reed Quintet joins forces with Mezzo Soprano Carrie Cheron and composer Francine Trester for a fantastic program of contrasting 20th and 21st-century works inspired by the color blue. This colorful combination of oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone presents the world premiere of Francine Trester’s reed quintet version of her new song cycle Azure World, featuring five songs with Poetry by Tennyson. They will also explore the color blue through works by Daniel Cueto, Luis Calvo, and Joni Mitchell. In celebration of it being the week of George Gershwin’s 125th birthday, Kalliope will complete the concert with a new arrangement of his complete Rhapsody in Blue alongside some of his lesser known works.

09/28/2023

Dan Coughlin's work considers elements of space and scale in Blue.

Visit Blue: the Celebration of a Color exhibit during open hours this week and see Coughlin's work and that of many other artists. We are open Thursday, 2-7 pm, Friday, 2-5 pm, and Saturday, 12-5 pm.

09/27/2023

Join us this Friday at 6PM !

Join us this Friday at 6PM for a concert inspired by the color blue. Ticket link in bio Kalliope Reed Quintet joins forces with Mezzo Soprano Carrie Cheron and composer Francine Trester for a fantastic program of contrasting 20th and 21st-century works inspired by blue in celebration of our current Community Curator exhibit Blue: the Celebration of a Color. #somervillemuseum #thisisyourmuseum #somerville #museums #art #history #arthistory #somervillehistory #boston #cambridge #smallmuseumforthefuture #pastandpresent #somervilleisthebest #blue #contemporaryart

09/27/2023

09/22/2023

Many of our visitors enjoyed dressing up in blue for the opening reception of Blue: the Celebration of a Color.

Thanks to everyone who joined, and congratulations to curator Martha Friend on a magical exhibit.

We are open today until 5:00PM tomorrow, Saturday, from 12:00 PM- 5:00 PM.

09/19/2023

So, why an exhibition about blue?

Blue: The Celebration of a Color curated by Martha Friend showcases many Somerville and local painters, sculptors, fiber artists, collectors, potters, and photographers who feature blue. It also features mass-produced but cherished family heirlooms, furniture, international handcrafts, folk art, and simple found and saved objects worthy of public exhibition.

Join us for the opening reception of Blue this Thursday, September 21st, from 6:00-8:00 PM.

09/07/2023

What a week! Artists have been dropping off work for the upcoming Community Curator exhibition, BLUE: The Celebration of a Color, curated by Martha Friend. It's been chaotic and exciting setting up the Pisa Gallery with all the objects, artwork, and fun little surprises! We can't wait to share it with you. For more information: https://www.somervillemuseum.org/blue

Opening Reception: Thursday, 9/21 | 6-8pm

Images: Martha with quilt by Robin Hazard Ray; Martha with artwork by Soozie Lubeck

Martha Friend Suzanne Lubeck Robin Hazard Ray - Author

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Somerville Museum

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.