Local Look at the American Revolution in Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Nation

The Somerville Museum is proud to present History on the Line: The Exhibit and Map, exploring the untold stories of Somerville’s revolutionary past through physical and digital maps and archival materials. Funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism’s MA250 grant program, this dynamic initiative brings history to life in new and meaningful ways with a map of over 60 historic sites in the Somerville area and an exhibit showcasing the museum’s sweeping archives. Join them on May 1, 2025 at 6PM for an exhibit grand opening and map launch!

The History on the Line exhibition showcases Somerville’s history through objects from the museum’s collection, organized along key thematic lines. Exploring Map Lines, Assembly Lines, Transportation Lines, Story Lines, Family Lines, and Revolutionary Lines, the exhibit reveals the many revolutions and evolutions that have shaped Somerville into the community it is today. Discover the changing landscapes of Somerville throughout its history, stories of the Revolution women’s rights and civil rights in Somervile, the wealth of innovation from Somerville companies to cottage industries. Peek into the Pantry of familiar and unfamiliar food products, and find an incredible number of familiar names who lived, owned businesses, or traveled through Somerville!  

Alongside the exhibit, the official History on the Line Map pinpoints spaces, places, and people in the early city and in the Revolutionary War before 1800. The annotated, illustrated map contains 60 points of interest, and it is available in digital and paper formats. Digital and physical copies of the map are available for pickup at the Somerville Museum. The digital version of the map features recorded narrations from Somerville High School students! This map centers Somerville within the mainstream narratives of the nation’s early years, while also elucidating little-known stories.

“By focusing on Somerville’s Revolutionary past, we get a richer and more honest account of what the war meant to different people,” said Dr. Paul Polgar, a lecturer in Tufts University History Department. “The Revolution was not a single, unified movement; it was a series of overlapping struggles, full of ambiguity. Some fought for self-government, others for personal freedom. Some saw economic opportunity, others faced ruin. Looking at history from this local perspective challenges us to move beyond mythologized versions of the past and reckon with the Revolution in all its complexity.”

Stephanie Marlin-Curiel, Executive Director of the Somerville Museum, comments: “The 250th Anniversary of the colonists’ fight for liberation from British rule is a momentous milestone, and we are thrilled to amplify this story with diverse voices and perspectives. Somerville’s rich history has shaped the vibrant community we know today, and how we tell that history will help define the future we want to create. This is an incredible opportunity to engage, reflect, and inspire—history is truly ‘on the line’.”

For over a century, the Somerville museum has held space for the stories that shape collective history. On the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, History on the Line programming channels a national story into a locally-meaningful, community-minded experience. From family-friendly events in the park to fascinating historical deep dives, the wide-ranging and dynamic programming provides something for everyone to enjoy.

https://www.somervillemuseum.org/