Tavern Talk: Henry Knox and His Noble Train of Artillery, a 2-Part Series
Somerville Museum presents a 2-part Tavern Talk with Dan Breen on January 26th and February 9th, 7pm at Aeronaut Brewing in Somerville.
Story Quilt Workshop
Children in grades K–8 and their caregivers will create story quilts using fabric collage in a hands-on workshop
Duo Maresienne | La Folia: Renaissance and Baroque Masterpieces from Spain
(This concert was rescheduled from January 25 due to the snowstorm)
Carrie Cheron, mezzo-soprano, joins Très Maresienne (Lisa Brooke, baroque violin; Carol Lewis, viola da gamba; Olav Chris Henriksen, vihuela & baroque guitar) in pasacalles, recercadas, romances and tonos humanos by Ortiz, Cabezón, Milan, Sanz, Durón and Hidalgo
Archivist Terry Bragg on the Founding and History of McLean
Terry A. Bragg, Archivist of the McLean Hospital in Belmont since 1981, will present an illustrated lecture tracing the remarkable history of New England’s first psychiatric hospital. From the time it opened in 1818, McLean Hospital followed the principles of “moral treatment” for the mentally ill, in distinct contrast to the prevailing practices at the time. Patients with mental illness were most often hidden and housed in jails, almshouses, and private homes.
Tavern Talk: Part Two of Henry Knox and His Noble Train of Artillery
This talk continues the journey of Henry Knox, the 25-year old Boston bookseller who, against considerable odds, somehow oversaw the transport of 59 pieces of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga across the Hudson, over the Berkshires and across the length of Massachusetts to the American army camped outside of Boston. It was those cannons that finally forced Lord Howe to abandon Boston and sail off to Halifax, bringing at last a successful conclusion to the eleven month siege that had begun in the aftermath of Lexington and Concord. Join us as we celebrate that 'Noble Train' of artillery that gave Americans their first major victory of the Revolution.
Tickets Available on Eventbrite.
Valentine's Day Mixer
Bring a special someone, a friend, or treat yourself to special pre-Valentine evening at the Museum with live latin music from CuraSón, that promotes love and connection by playing original music that comes from the heart.. Enjoy mocktails,, a chocolate tasting, sweet and savory snacks, and a free digital portrait while exploring our galleries featuring our current exhibit: Crafting the Mind. Sip and chat, dance and laugh, or sit and craft at the weaving table while meeting new people.
Crafting Care : A Community Quilt Workshop with Lauren Leone
This participatory workshop invites attendees to reflect on the concept and practice of care through embroidery and fabric collage, in dialogue with the Crafting the Mind exhibition. We'll explore questions like "how do we give and receive care– in the day-to-day and also in moments of crisis and distress?", "how do we create communities of care?", and "how can community craft practices support belonging, wellbeing, and interdependence?" Participants will be taught some simple embroidery stitches and will be supported in creating individual quilt squares reflecting their personal understanding of care.
Your Home is a Museum
Bring an object. Curate a mini exhibition. Tell its story.
Think the “Moth” radio hour or “Antiques Road Show.”
Explore how personal stories become part of shared history.
Crafting the Mind Curator Tour (Copy)
Curators Danielle Krcmar and Rachel May, along with participating artists, will lead a walkthrough of the exhibition. They will discuss the connections between the historic craft processes used for therapeutic treatment at McLean, and the contemporary fiber works in the exhibit that speak to how the artists process grief, reflect on labor and care for loved ones, and reconnect with cultural and ancestral practices.
Echoes in Ink: Found Poetry from the Collection
Join the Somerville Museum for a hands-on creative workshop where historic letters, newspapers, maps, and documents become the raw material for art. Using reproduced archival texts, participants will craft found and blackout poetry, revealing hidden voices, emotions, and stories already embedded in the words of earlier generations.
Inspired by our popular Collage from the Collection program, this workshop invites you to cut, mark, highlight, and transform history into powerful visual poems.
Tickets available via Eventbrite.
No poetry experience needed
All materials provided
Take home your finished poetic artwork
Duo Maresienne | Hunts, Bagpipes & Scots Tunes: Music of the Scottish Renaissance & Baroque
Celebrating Bach. Ensemble Chaconne (Peter H. Bloom, baroque flute; Carol Lewis, viola da gamba; Olav Chris Henriksen, baroque lute) perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach, including flute sonatas, a prelude and fugue for lute, and a cello suite transcription for viola da gamba.
Crafting the Mind Closing Reception
Crafting the Mind Closing Reception
“Crafting the Mind” is an exhibition of contemporary fiber art that speaks to the early history of crafts as a therapeutic practice at McLean Hospital, the country’s first psychiatric hospital. McLean was opened at Somerville’s Barrell Mansion in 1818, and today the Somerville Museum holds the mansion’s original flying staircase. McLean patients created textiles and other crafts for therapeutic benefit as part of the hospital’s “moral cure,” an approach to treatment that emphasized compassionate care, access to nature, and patient activities. “Crafting the Mind” explores the evolving definitions of “care,” “health,” and “treatment” in different cultural contexts, as well as today’s advocacy movement for mental healthcare equity.
Curators: Danielle Krcmar and Rachel May.
Artists: Betty Antoine, Amy Caliri, Cicely Carew, Mimi Clark, Alison Doucette, Leah Dunn, Farah Faustin, Samantha Fields, Ifé Franklin, Kate Holcomb Hale, Jan Johnson, Kayla Johnson, Lauren Leone, Joetta Maue, Michele Moran, Loretta Park, Carl Phillips, Darryl Richards, Carter Shocket, Josie Sosa, Matthew Treggiari.
Tickets available via Eventbrite.
Duo Maresienne | The King of Denmark’s Health: Renaissance Music from Denmark-Norway
Celebrating Bach. Ensemble Chaconne (Peter H. Bloom, baroque flute; Carol Lewis, viola da gamba; Olav Chris Henriksen, baroque lute) perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach, including flute sonatas, a prelude and fugue for lute, and a cello suite transcription for viola da gamba.
Crafting the Mind Curator Tour
Curators Danielle Krcmar and Rachel May, along with participating artists, will lead a walkthrough of the exhibition. They will discuss the connections between the historic craft processes used for therapeutic treatment at McLean, and the contemporary fiber works in the exhibit that speak to how the artists process grief, reflect on labor and care for loved ones, and reconnect with cultural and ancestral practices.
Collage with the Collection
Dig through images of old Somerville, art magazines, books, and programs from our collection and reinvent them in a collage!
Take home a piece of the museum when you create a collage from our collections! Join us for this special Friday add-on event. There will be one limited time slot for you to craft for an hour and a half: 5:30-7 pm. Limited seats available, so bring a friend or meet someone new!
Recommended for teens and up; younger children can participate with an adult to use scissors.
Crafting the Mind Opening Reception
Join us for the opening reception of Crafting the Mind on Thursday, January 15th, 6pm - 8pm.
“Crafting the Mind” is an exhibition of contemporary fiber art that speaks to the early history of crafts as a therapeutic practice at McLean Hospital, New England’s first psychiatric hospital. McLean was opened at Somerville’s Barrell Mansion in 1818, and today the Somerville Museum holds the
mansion’s original flying staircase. McLean patients created textiles and other crafts for therapeutic benefit as part of the hospital’s “moral cure,” an approach to treatment that emphasized compassionate care, access to nature, and patient activities. “Crafting the Mind” explores the evolving definitions of “care,” “health,” and “treatment” in different cultural contexts, as well as today’s advocacy movement for mental healthcare equity.
250th First Flag Raising Celebration
11:30am: Procession from City Hall (all are invited)
12-1pm : First Flag Celebration at Prospect Hill Park (bring your own - or a neighbor’s national flag)
This year's milstone 250th anniversary expands the traditional military ceremony to better reflect the full diversity of people whose labor, courage and aspirations shaped the Revolution.
Program is free, but please register at Eventbrite.
Tea and Tales for a. Winter’s Night
Step into the warm glow of the Somerville Museum this December for Tea & Tales for a Winter’s Night.
On December 18th, join us by the fireside for a comforting cup of tea and an evening steeped in the centuries-old tradition of telling ghost stories during the darkest days of the year.
Together, we’ll wander through Somerville’s own winter folklore—including the mysteries of the Ursuline Convent and the spectral lore surrounding the Somerville Theatre—as we uncover why the holiday season has long inspired eerie tales. Long nights, crackling hearths, and deep winter quiet have always stirred the imagination, giving rise to stories meant to thrill, unsettle, and bring people closer around the fire.
Cozy, atmospheric, and just a touch spooky, this intimate evening invites lovers of folklore, history, and seasonal storytelling to settle in and savor the magic of winter ghost lore.
Come for the tea—stay for the spirits.
Collage from the Collection
Dig through images of old Somerville, art magazines, books and programs from our collection and reinvent them in a collage!
Take home a piece of the museum when you create a collage from our collections! Join us for this special Friday add-on event. There will be one limited time slot for you to craft for an hour and a half: 5:30-7pm. Limited seats available, so bring a friend or meet someone new!
Recommended for teens and up, but littles can participate with an adult to use scissors.
Barcode Journeys Closing Reception
Join us for the Barcode Journeys closing reception and a final look at the art behind our everyday scans.
Join us for the closing reception of Barcode Journeys on Saturday, December 6th from 3-5pm
Everyday six billion black and white barcodes are scanned as they parade, barely noticed through our lives, stamped on practically everything. Today, a mind-boggling mass of invisible electronic data records our existence. Barcode Journeys explores the pervasiveness of barcodes in our daily lives—discovering the humor, awe, meaning, and aesthetics in our coexistence with barcodes, algorithms, and now, AI, ultimately asking what it means to stay human.
Participating Artists: Lesley Bannatyne, Lynn Cannici, Greg Duerhr, Nathan Fash, Janine Fay, Kyle Huffman, Barbara Jo, Olga Mesa, Elizabeth Pacini, Cindy Ramírez, Leddy R. Saenz, Charlie Warren, Sandra Wascher, and Woolsey Cole Chesterman, Lydia Fash.
Tavern Talk with Dan Breen: From Belmont Street to Brisbane
Somerville's own Rear Admiral Ralph Waldo Christie, and the technical glitches that drove his fellow submariners to distraction in WW2
Join us for a presentation on Somerville's own Rear Admiral Ralph Waldo Christie, and the technical glitches that drove his fellow submariners to distraction in the darkest days of World War Two.
Story Circle: Indigenous Tales Through Film & Storytelling
Story Circle: Indigenous Tales Through Film & Storytelling is a powerful and engaging program that brings Indigenous stories to life through film and spoken word. Designed for students in grades K–8, this program introduces young audiences to the rich cultural traditions, histories, and contemporary voices of Indigenous communities across North America.
Duo Maresienne: Gallant Lutes - Duos from the German Baroque
Gallant Lutes: Duos from the German Baroque. A seldom-heard treat: lutenists Timothy Burris and Olav Chris Henriksen perform a fantasia, a suite, a concert, a sonata and a ‘symphony” by Handel, Baron, Gleim, Lauffensteiner, and Falckenhagen.
Generative AI and the Art of Co-Creation
Generative AI invites us to dream alongside machines, where imagination takes shape through code. This event explores how humans and algorithms collaborate to create art, while also asking deeper questions: What happens when patterns of data shape creativity? Who owns a work born of both human intent and machine chance? Join us as we reflect on wonder, responsibility, and belonging in the age of AI
“Stories from the Dawnlands: Indigenous Histories and Living Legacies in New England"
Discover the deep history and living legacy of the Indigenous nations of “The Dawnlands”—the region we now know as Boston and greater New England. This engaging talk reveals how Native peoples shaped the area’s culture and landscape for millennia, how their worlds changed with the arrival of the Puritans in 1620, and how their vibrant communities continue to influence New England today.
Veteran's Day Remembrance Ceremony
Join us to honor and remember our veterans at the Veterans Day 2025 Remembrance Ceremony.
Veterans Day 2025 Remembrance Ceremony
At the 1863 Civil War Monument and the gravesite of an unknown British Soldier in Milk Row Cemetery
Secret Quarries of Somerville
Visit the city’s oldest burial ground, where friendly ghosts will tell you about their lives in 18th century Somerville. Learn about our city’s past from those who lived it.
Part of Somerstreets: Monster Mash
Free and Open to the Public - $5 Suggested Donation
A Dream from the Water's Eye/Dance performance by Cindy Ramirez
A Dance Performance | una danza interpretativa, by | por Cindy Ramirez
Peruvian artist Cindy Ramirez's work explores the evolution of Andean weaving through generations, blending traditional embroidery with modern digital tools, creating a dialogue between past and present. In the space of the Somerville Museum's historic staircase, Ramírez will present a 25-minute performance, accompanied by the Technohuayno music of Alan Poma. Donning her unku (Inca tunic) incorporating QR code symbols, the artist will use the staircase's shape to construct an Andean landscape in the shape of a chakana, the stepped motif reflecting Andean cosmology and spirituality. From this ephemeral installation the artist will share fragments of the garment, and acrylic plates and threads with the audience, establishing a tangible link with the performance.
Haunted Histories Walking Tour
Visit the city’s oldest burial ground, where friendly ghosts will tell you about their lives in 18th century Somerville. Learn about our city’s past from those who lived it.
Part of Somerstreets: Monster Mash
Free and Open to the Public - $5 Suggested Donation
"Rewind, Record, PLAY!"
The Somerville Museum is celebrating its 100th Anniversary on Thursday, October 23, 5:30-8:30pm at the Crystal Ballroom with a retrofuturist cocktail fundraising bash sponsored by SOMERNOVA, a generous gift in memory of Amy Anthony and many others!
Duo Maresienne: Celebrating Bach
Celebrating Bach. Ensemble Chaconne (Peter H. Bloom, baroque flute; Carol Lewis, viola da gamba; Olav Chris Henriksen, baroque lute) perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach, including flute sonatas, a prelude and fugue for lute, and a cello suite transcription for viola da gamba.
Ghosts of Somerville
Visit the city’s oldest burial ground, where friendly ghosts will tell you about their lives in 18th century Somerville. Learn about our city’s past from those who lived it.
Part of Somerstreets: Monster Mash
Free and Open to the Public - $5 Suggested Donation
Night at the Museum: A Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Bring your child’s favorite or second favorite stuffed animal to the Somerville Museum for a special overnight adventure!
Drop off toys on Thursday, October 9, from 5:00–6:00 PM, then return on Friday, October 10, at 11:00 AM for a cozy storytime and a slideshow of all the fun the stuffed animals had after hours. See the secret fun your stuffed animals had while you were asleep! A magical way for families to experience the museum!
History Un-Locked Drop in Chats
JOIN US TO CELEBRATE SOMERVILLE FROM ROOTS TO REVOLUTION ON THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY!
Prospect Hill will be open to the public on select dates and times from May through October as part of HISTORY ON THE LINE, a series of exhibitions and programs organized by the Somerville Museum and funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism's MA250 initiative and the City of Somerville.
Boston and Barcodes: Six Decades of Engineering and Tracking Devices with Peter Collins, President & CEO, A2B Tracking
Years ago David Collins, "the father of the barcode," developed a linear tracking technology called KarTrak that was first installed on Boston and Maine railcars that led the way to modern barcodes. A fundamental building block of our modern economy, the barcode is still the backbone for retailing and manufacturing. Peter Collins, following in his father's footsteps, is an expert in pioneering barcode and RFID technology to close critical gaps between human and technology resources. Learn about barcode history, protocols, 1D versus 2D codes, and the future of tracking and data management solutions for government contractors, laboratories, universities and commercial organizations.
Community Curator Zoom Info Session
Applications for the Somerville Museum’s Community Curator Program are now open!
Application Deadline: November 15
Info Session: Tuesday, October 7, 7pm on Zoom.. Learn how to bring YOUR exhibit idea to life. Experienced and non-experienced curators alike receive mentorship, resources, and gallery space to create exhibitions that celebrate Somerville’s vibrant past, present, and future. Exhibits accepted in any discipline. Multidisciplinary exhibits welcome. Community partners encouraged.
RSVP on Eventbrite by Tuesday, October 7 at 6:30pm to receive the zoom link.
The Grand Showband Tradition
We want to give a huge shout out and thank you to our friends at the Burren for holding a fundraiser for us on Saturday, October 4th in honor of our 100th Anniversary fundraising effort. The event will feature the music of the beloved Irish Miami Showband and our legendary Tavern Talk presenter, Dan Breen, will fill in the story. $55 gets you in to enjoy a complimentary buffet along with the program! Find tickets at Burren.com.
Barcode Journeys Zine Workshop with Barbara JO
Zines ("zeenez") are great little booklets you can make super fast. We'll provide paper for an 8-pg version for you to make your own zine that you can print out and share with others. Zines, each with their own personality, capture culture and art, and can highlight something someone feels passionate about or give voice to forgotten histories.
Curator Tour
Barbara Jo, curator of Barcode Journeys will give a guided tour of the work on exhibit and talk about her inspiration.
Free with museum admission
Escape from the Somerville Museum with Jef Czekaj
Oh no! Children's author and entertainer, Jef Czekaj is locked inside the Somerville Museum! He will only be released if he can answer questions like:
* Did 'Mary' from 'Mary had a Little Lamb' ever walk down this very street?
* What U.S. President lived in Somerville?
* If you were a 19th century pickle factory owner, where would you store your pickles?
Will Jef escape? He'll probably need the help of his puppets, Powcerhouse Pickle Jar and Somerville Sheep. Can you help too?
Stay for a scaventer hunt and discover more!
Free for children under $12. Others $-$12. Find tickets here
History Un-Locked Drop in Chats
JOIN US TO CELEBRATE SOMERVILLE FROM ROOTS TO REVOLUTION ON THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY!
THE POWDER HOUSE will be open to the public on select dates and times from May through October as part of HISTORY ON THE LINE, a series of exhibitions and programs organized by the Somerville Museum and funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism's MA250 initiative and the City of Somerville.
Opening Reception
Barcode Journeys Opening Reception
Everyday six billion black and white barcodes are scanned as they parade, barely noticed through our lives, stamped on practically everything. Today, a mind-boggling mass of invisible electronic data records our existence. Barcode Journeys explores the pervasiveness of barcodes in our daily lives—discovering the humor, awe, meaning, and aesthetics in our coexistence with barcodes, algorithms, and now, AI, ultimately asking what it means to stay human.
Participating Artists: Lesley Bannatyne, Lynn Cannici, Greg Duerhr, Nathan Fash, Janine Fay, Kyle Huffman, Barbara Jo, Olga Mesa, Elizabeth Pacini, Cindy Ramírez, Laidy Saenz, Charlie Warren, Sandra Wascher, and Woolsey Cole Chesterman.
Regular Admission charges apply.
Find tickets on Eventbrite
History Un-Locked Drop in Chats
JOIN US TO CELEBRATE SOMERVILLE FROM ROOTS TO REVOLUTION ON THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY!
Milk Row Cemetery will be open to the public on select dates and times from May through October as part of HISTORY ON THE LINE, a series of exhibitions and programs organized by the Somerville Museum and funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism's MA250 initiative and the City of Somerville.