By Mayor Emeritus Eugene C. Brune, Museum Trustee

I was totally amazed, and unaware of the vast amount of Somerville’s exciting history that was stored in the building on the corner of Westwood Rd. and Central St. I found later that I, as well as so many others that were born in Somerville, also did not know just what the purpose of that building was. Also, sad to know that many still do not., especially our new residents.

I remember that it was in the 1980s when I was first introduced to the wonders of the Somerville Museum. 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 St., 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 colonists 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 into Powder House Park, that stored hundreds of barrels of gunpowder which was seized by General Gage for the British. As well as the Roundhouse and Ploughed Hill. The Blessing of the Bay, and so much more about the Glass works, the Brickyards.

Although in the early grades of elementary school I learned “Mary had a little lamb,” but I never knew that Mary Sawyer, the heroine of that poem, lived in our city and was the wife of Columbus Tyler (Superintendent of the McLean Asylum}. And that is just the tip of the iceberg, as the saying goes.

The Somerville Historical Society, the home of our museum, was founded in 1897 and its purpose is to preserve the heritage and artifacts of Somerville. Having never had any major funding from any source it was always in need of major renovations. Most importantly being able to provide access to everyone wishing to visit the museum. In the 1980’s the trustees took on this important task and changed the name to the Somerville Museum with a focus on art, culture, and history.

We are now entering into the home stretch of our Access for all and More Capital Campaign of raising $2.35 million for phase one and another $400,000 for phase two. No easy task, but with the help of some great community minded businesses, and professionals, the Somerville Community Preservation Commission, museum members and hundreds of wonderful neighbors and friends, we are close to the finish line.

Incredibly, we are pleased to have raised 95% of our goal, but we still need your help to raise the balance left of $133,500 to allow us to complete our goals and that is to make the Somerville Museum, after over one hundred years in Somerville to be accessible for all.

With our addition and our new elevator, we are accessible so that now everyone and all are welcome to visit the exhibits as well as do research in all our four floors. As well as many other renovations to our bathrooms, kitchen, and reception area. All allowing the Museum to be eligible for additional federal grants as well as borrowing art exhibits from other Museums. Phase two will also eliminate all air problems that could contaminate our collection in our storage area with waterproofing and climate control.

We invite you to attend our several exhibits that we feature each year with hundreds attending. Or inquire about our future ones. We also ask you to consider becoming a member of the museum. It is your museum to enjoy.

Now we are asking every household, and others living or working in the community to donate to our campaign no matter how small so that you also can be part of making this possible as well as to have your name included on the Somerville Museum website, and in a capsule buried in the museum newly renovated garden to be opened several years from now

All donors who contribute $1000 or more will be commemorated on an exterior lifetime display.

Please, we need your support. Give this your consideration and mail your donation to The Somerville Museum, One Westwood Rd, Somerville MA 02143 or visit our website www.somervillemuseum.org/access for all.