The new entryway will be a welcome addition to the Somerville Museum.

The Wallace Foundation has awarded the Somerville Museum $85,000 in matching funds to support construction of a new handicapped-accessible entrance and first floor restroom.

These renovations along with a multitude of other changes necessary to make the 1930s building friendly to the disabled will allow the Museum to meet the regulations of the American with Disabilities Act.

The new entryway design will include a wheelchair lift and portico, and has been approved by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission and the Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals, as well as the neighbors on Westwood Road. The entire project cost is estimated as close to $200,000 and the goal is to have the Museum ADA compliant by the end of the year.

The Somerville Museum is an all volunteer organization dedicated to promoting the arts, history and culture of Somerville and receives no municipal support.  Those who would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to this cause may make a check out to “SMBF” (Somerville Museum Building Fund) and send it to the Somerville Museum at One Westwood Road, Somerville, MA 02143.  It is also possible to contribute online by going to http://www.somervillemuseumbuildingfund.org.