April 22, 2021 marks the 125th anniversary of the incorporation of Elizabeth Peabody House, a Somerville nonprofit that supports families in reaching their full potential through early childhood education, youth development, and family assistance. The organization will mark the start of its 125th anniversary year, which it will celebrate from April 2021 through April 2022, with a virtual event – Elizabeth Peabody House at 125.

The event will feature the rich history and current impact of the venerable community institution as well as a speaking program with remarks from civic leaders, Elizabeth Peabody House families, and program staff. The event is free to attend but supporters will be able to purchase an at-home party package filled with local products to be delivered to their front door.

“For 125 years, The Elizabeth Peabody House has been a community hub for families to expand educational and economic opportunity,” said executive director Kretcha Roldan. “We are thrilled to mark this momentous milestone with Elizabeth Peabody House students, families, alumni, supporters, and neighbors from Somerville and surrounding communities.”

The Elizabeth Peabody House was founded as a settlement house serving the diverse immigrant community in Boston’s West End in 1896. Offering arts, education, and health programming, the organization was named in honor of Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, a Bostonian who was a Kindergarten trailblazer in America, a noted intellectual in the Transcendentalist movement, an author and publisher, and an advocate for women’s rights, antislavery policies and indiginous rights. During the redevelopment of the West End in the 1950s, Elizabeth Peabody House followed much of the community up the road to Somerville and has been a fixture on Broadway in the former Broadway Methodist Church building in the decades since.

Today, as a modern nonprofit with historic roots, Elizabeth Peabody House offers families in Somerville and surrounding communities preschool, afterschool, summer camp, and a food pantry. This year the program nimbly responded to community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic to transform its afterschool program into a full-day remote learning hub for K-12 students learning online. Since September, the program has welcomed 19 students from Prospect Hill Academy and 10 students from Somerville Public Schools and nearby school districts including Boston, Everett, and Malden. Across all of its children’s programs, Elizabeth Peabody House enrolls some 102 students and serves more than 10,000 patrons annually in its food pantry. Responsive to community conditions, Elizabeth Peabody House stands ready to meet families’ needs today and for the next 125 years.

“Elizabeth Peabody House is a true partner in the community and has been an asset as a member of the Somerville Partnership for Young Children,” said Somerville Public Schools Director of Early Learning Lisa Kuh. “It’s wonderful to have such a long-standing pillar of the community committed to local children who experience the joy of learning in their programs.”

Throughout the 125th year celebration, Elizabeth Peabody House plans to host opportunities for its community to come together – in-person or online as public health conditions allow – including student celebrations, family events, alumni reunions, community conversations, and a gala to close out the year. Elizabeth Peabody House has set a goal of raising $125,000 over the course of the 125th anniversary year to support its best-in-class programs and revitalize its historic buildings, ensuring the nonprofit has the strong foundation to continue its legacy of impact for the next 125 year. Those who have been part of the Elizabeth Peabody House family for decades and neighbors who are getting to know the organization for the first time are invited to join in the celebration.