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By Mayor Emeritus Eugene C. Brune
Museum Trustee

I remember that it was in the 1980’s when I was first introduced to the wonders of the Somerville Museum. Although I learned “Mary had a little lamb” in the early grades of elementary school I never knew that Mary Sawyer Tyler, the heroine of that poem, lived in our city and was the wife of Columbus Tyler (Superintendent of the McLean Asylum). It was fascinating to also know that the very first telephone line in the world was installed by Alexander Graham Bell in the home of Charles Williams, a resident on Arlington Street, Somerville in 1877. Bell invented the telephone in Williams Electrical Shop. Bell, owing Williams some money, made his very first phone call from his shop in Boston to Williams’ home. Or how it came to be that the first flag of the United Colonist was raised on the high point of Prospect Hill on January 1, 1776 and we celebrate this by raising the replica of that flag every year on the first of January. And more fascinating stories such as the Mill, built in 1747 at Powder House Park, that stored hundreds of barrels of gunpowder which was seized by General Gage for the British. As well as the Round House and Ploughed. The Blessing of the Bay, and so much more about the glass works, the brick yards and that is just the tip of the iceberg, as the saying goes.

While I was Mayor, Members of the Board of Trustees at the Somerville Museum asked if I would consider being chairperson of their fundraising drive to help raise funds needed to make necessary repairs and make the museum safe and functional for the public. The drive was successful. The work was completed, and I was asked to join them as a trustee. I agreed, and have been, so to speak, hooked ever since and loving every day of it.

One of my, and my former office staff’s, fondest memories was when I was Mayor. Somerville Kiwanis Club voted to fund a program for all the fourth graders in the city. With the approval of the School Department, Kiwanis hired school buses, picked up the students and teachers and took them all on a tour of all the historic sites in the city and also to the museum. The tour ended in my Mayor’s Office, where they all sat on the floor and I would ask them what they learned today about the history of the city. They were all so excited to tell me and I was really impressed in the knowledge they received which made the program extremely beneficial. Before leaving I gave each of them a small banner that stated, “My Visit to City Hall.” Each wanted me to sign it and many wanted to sit in my chair. Truly a fun experience and we always looked forward to the next group. To this day I have had much older adults tell me that they still have that banner hanging on the wall of their children’s bedroom and also have nice memories of their visit to my office.

We currently have several wonderful residents and business owners sitting on the Somerville Museum’s fundraising committee. We have all been working hard to raise the $2,250,000 million dollars needed to finally make the museum accessible to all by making it ADA Compliant. We are in the process of installing an elevator allowing all that visit to have access to all floors, building ADA compliant gender-neutral bathrooms, a multi-purpose space, making repairs to our precious Bullfinch flying bridge staircase, and making all necessary repairs in the basement in order to store our several collections, and much more.

We offer a virtual presentation for any organization, group and individuals that are willing to listen. We also offer small private tours of the museum for those considering donating to our campaign. And I am pleased to announce that we have raised $1,900,000 million dollars to date, we have all the necessary permits, and work is being performed as we speak. Donations from $25 dollars to several thousand dollars have been made. With special thanks to the Somerville Post 19 American Legion for donating $70,000 dollars! They believe that the museum is vital to the history of Somerville’s citizens, from school children on up to the elderly. They also saw the necessity of the space being accessible to the disabled, many of them veterans of the several wars. This will be a lasting gift to the people of the city that Post 19 has been an important part of for well over 80 years. Being a life member of this group, as well as VFW James Logan Post 6800 that also donated $5,000, I am pleased and proud of the members who listened to what I had to say and acted in such a wonderful and generous way.

We are also pleased to have as our Honorary Chairpersons, Former Governor Michael Dukakis and his wife Kitty. They have attended exhibitions at the museum and always enjoyed their visit.

We will be expanding our drive to all our local businesses, civic group, friends, family and neighbors that we hope will care as deeply as we do that the children on up to the elderly, will have a museum that they can be proud of, and that will open doors to a greater world for them.

It would be wonderful if people would consider donating any amount they can and be part of making this all possible. We will soon be spreading the word in print and on social media to allow you to learn more about the museum and ways you can donate. Please give it your consideration. Thank you.

To donate online: http://somervillemuseum.org/accessforall/ Or, please consider sending a check to help us save 3% on processing fees. All checks can be sent to Somerville Museum, 1 Westwood Road, Somerville, MA 02143 (memo: Access for All)

To learn more please contact: accessforall@somervillemuseum.org

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