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In these times of pandemic and gentrification, it was imperative for me to speak to someone about the preservation of what we have. So I contacted Brandon Wilson, Executive Director of the Somerville Historical Preservation Commission.

Doug Holder: Can you describe the mission statement of the Commission?

Brandon Wilson

Brandon Wilson: The mission of the Commission is to ensure Somerville’s most important historic properties are preserved. It was established by municipal ordinance in 1985 and is comprised of 14 volunteer members that typically includes architects, architectural historians, owners of locally designated houses, contractors, real estate agents and others with a strong interest in local history. The Commission benefits from Staff provided by the Historic Preservation Division of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD).

Together the staff and the Commission members keep Somerville’s history alive by protecting historic properties, collecting photos and documents, and raising awareness of Somerville’s history as a community.

DH: How have things changed or not because of COVID?

BW: Interesting question! Like most offices we have pivoted quite a bit, using Zoom for public meetings, working remotely with less access to helpful materials and colleagues, and figuring out ways to highlight Somerville’s historic assets to a variety of audiences, in a physically safe and hopefully interesting manner. The pandemic prevents us from bringing groups of people together to enjoy our usual walking tours, bike rides, talk and film series, and docent guides, so we started virtual programming.

Perhaps one of the most popular ideas that we recently launched is a ‘I Spy Somerville’ series. Every week or so we release a sample image of an often-overlooked physical feature in “Historic Somerville” and we challenge our audience to find other examples around the City. The goal is to highlight Somerville’s historic assets and charm, give helpful direction to folks’ regular walking and biking during COVID-19, and encourage all to explore different neighborhoods in the City, whether actively or via their computer. We ask everyone to submit a photo, the address, and any lore they know about the image, to win bragging rights, possibly win a prize, and make others aware, and possibly find the object too. Ultimately, we intend to create and map a collection of historically interesting and unique objects around Somerville, including some which may be changing, like artistic manhole covers, or disappearing altogether, like in-ground trash pails.

DH: Not all cities have historical preservation commissions, and if they do, I think many have less visibility than yours does. Why do you think Somerville merits an active historical commission?

BW: It is certainly my hope to give notable visibility to our Preservation Commission because Somerville has such a rich history and architectural legacy to showcase! You often hear about Lexington, Concord and Boston as places to learn about the founding of our nation, but seriously Somerville, as far back as when it was known as ‘Beyond the Neck’ and part of Charlestown, has many claims to fame too. It was here that the Redcoats’ Raid of the Old Powder House took place on September 1,1774 and was said to spark the American Revolution, and that the very high hill overlooking Cambridge and Boston served as the site for George Washington to command the raising of the First Flag of the United Colonies on January 1, 1776.

In addition to our historical significance, Somerville can attest to an amazing array of architectural styles, distinguished architects, and unique buildings like the Round House, the Prospect Hill Tower, and the Somerville Armory, to name but a few examples. The structures also reflect our rich heritage of skilled artisans and builders whose fine craftsmanship is difficult or unaffordable to recreate, so it is important to preserve them, for current, as well as future generations.

The Preservation Commission, in partnership with other local offices and organizations, needs to be both active and assertive, to ensure the city is recognized as “Historic Somerville!”

DH: You have home preservation awards. Can you talk a bit about this, and how does one qualify for such an award?

BW: The Commission initiated an Awards Program in 1995, making this year our 25th anniversary! Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 we have hit the pause button for any true celebration. However, not to be totally deterred, we are amid recognizing the 9 property owners who are winning 2020 Preservation or Director Awards for work done over the past couple of years. Owners may nominate their own property or may be nominated by others in the community. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, removal of inappropriate siding materials, repair or restoration of damaged or missing architectural details, removal of enclosed porches or inappropriate windows, repainting with historic colors, and additions that are “historically sympathetic.”

As part of our virtual programming, in a periodic newsletter to over 1,000 subscribers, we are highlighting the fine exterior work on the owners’ properties with Before, In Progress, and After photos. Later more details will be posted on our website via a PowerPoint presentation which would normally be shown at our annual Awards Ceremony. It is held as part of Preservation Month in May at the Somerville Armory, but naturally it’s on hold now. Also, each of the owners were personally interviewed, to hear what restoration or renovation work they did and any helpful lessons they learned. The Somerville Times is publishing the interviews and photos periodically in their weekly newspaper.

What really distinguishes our Awards Program from most other communities is that it involves the students at Somerville High. They create an original piece of artwork representing one of the winning properties, using many forms such as watercolors, pen and ink, computer art, and ceramic tiles. The winning pieces are professionally framed, and a copy is given to the student for their portfolio, as well as to the owner, following a yearlong mobile exhibit to different parts of the City, to showcase both groups’ impressive work. The Awards Program benefits from the generosity of local businesses, including Century Bank, Stanhope Framers, restaurants, and several space exhibitors.

DH: What is your own history with Somerville?

BW: I have been a city planner working with the city for several decades, serving under 5 different mayoral administrations, and enduring 40 years this past May! During this time I have been involved with many different types of planning, beginning with citizen participation and school reuse planning in the 1980’s, land use and zoning as Planning Director for 14 years, and more recently doing community events, outreach and historic preservation planning. While not my hometown, I love living and working in Somerville where I raised a family, renovate old houses, and engage in lots of civic efforts.

DH: Is rapid gentrification of the city interfering with historical preservation?

BW: Gentrification is a challenge for all cities, and Somerville is no different. It’s ironic to me that when I first started working here in 1980 many native residents were leaving for the leafier, less dense, and newer houses in the suburbs, and seemed less interested in the older building stock and local history. Over the years, with new folks coming from all over the country and globe, many of them have been excited to learn about their new community, its history and traditions, and are eager to fix up, adaptively reuse, and appreciate the older architecture here. This change of spirit has made a welcome difference for those of us who care about preserving the beauty and charm of “Historic Somerville” evident in its architecture, artifacts, and community-wide celebrations.