City of Somerville Commemorates the 249th Prospect Hill Flag Raising on January 1, 2025

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Museum are inviting community members to commemorate an iconic moment in American history at the 249th Annual Prospect Hill Flag Raising on January 1, 2025. On this date in 1776, General George Washington raised the first American flag atop Prospect Hill, marking a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War. Each New Year’s Day, the City honors this legacy with a community celebration. 

• When: Monday, January 1, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Where: Starting at Somerville City Hall (93 Highland Ave) and proceeding to Prospect Hill Park

The event features remarks from local officials, historical reenactments, and a ceremonial parade led by the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts and Revolutionary War reenactors. Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend this tradition celebrating Somerville’s central role in America’s founding story.

For more information on the Prospect Hill Flag raising, please contact Grace Bryan, Historic Events Manager at the Somerville Museum via email at grace@somervillemuseum.org.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov. 

This event will be videotaped by the City’s GovTV team. Watch it on-demand with optional closed-captioning (select the CC icon) on YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Or watch on cable TV at GovTV Comcast Ch. 22 and GovTV Astound (RCN) Ch. 13 & 613.  Videos generally post within one business day of recording.