Annual Historic Preservation Month Events Scheduled for May 2015

ANNUAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 2015

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Brandon Wilson, Executive Director of the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) announce the schedule of events for the 2015 “Preservation Month” celebrations. Throughout the month of May, the SHPC and other local organizations partner to host numerous events honoring Somerville’s history and historic districts.  Remaining events include: 

• Sunday, May 17, 2 - 3 p.m. 

Talk: The History of Agriculture in Somerville:  Early Farms to Current Urban Farming
The Somerville Museum, One Westwood Road. Free for Historic Somerville members, or $8 general admission. Reception to follow. To reserve your seat(s) or more info, contact info@historicsomerville.org or 617-666-9810.

• Tuesday, May 19, 6 - 8 p.m.

Tour and Launching of Milk Row Cemetery Public Openings
Barbara Mangum, Objects Conservator and President of Historic Somerville will lead an informative tour from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., about this historic cemetery. Learn about who is buried here, the monument dedicated to Somerville’s Civil War soldiers, and recent municipal enhancements. Light refreshments will be served both before and after the tour. Meet at the front gate at 439 Somerville Ave., next to Market Basket. Rain or shine. Other openings with docents will occur once per month from June through October at different times. See www.somervillema.gov for schedule.

• Wednesday, May 20, 7 – 8:30 p.m. 

Talk: “Researching the History of Your House and Your Family”
Kristi Chase, Preservation Planner and Kevin O’Kelly, Reference Librarian for the SPL will help you with ways to research the histories of your house and family. Mini tour of genealogy resources at the library and beyond, as well as tips to get you started. Central Library, 79 Highland Ave.

• Sunday, May 24, 1 p.m. 

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.

• Thursday, May 28, 6:30 - 9 p.m.  

Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony
The 20th annual ceremony will honor 11 Somerville property owners for their award-winning preservation work on the exterior of their properties. The event takes place in the historically unique space within the Somerville Armory, 191 Highland Ave. Also see interviews with individual owners in local newspapers throughout the coming weeks and the mobile exhibit of the 2014 Awards at Century Bank on Fellsway West.

• Sunday, May 31, 2-5 p.m.  

14th Annual Historic Bike Tour: “Food, Flowers & Farming: All Flourishing Anew in Somerville”
Co-sponsored with the Somerville Bike Committee and Groundwork Somerville. Learn about Somerville’s new and ongoing “greening” initiatives. The guided ride, escorted by the Somerville Police, is designed for all ages and riding levels. Meet at City Hall and ends with refreshments at Aeronaut. 

For more information, contact SHPC Executive Director Brandon Wilson at 617-625-6600 x2532 or via bwilson@somervillema.gov or visit www.somervillema.gov/historicpreservation for updates and photos.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Betsy Allen, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or BAllen@somervillema.gov.