The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission & Historic Somerville present the launching of Milk Row Cemetery public opening, Tuesday, May 19 from 6– 8 pm; rain or shine. Come inside Somerville’s oldest cemetery, dating back to 1804, and usually closed to the public.

Explore this rare and endangered gem, where British soldiers and Revolutionary citizens are buried. Barbara Mangum, an Object Conservator and President of Historic Somerville, will give a talk from 6:30 to 7:30pm to share her excitement about the Cemetery’s history and the significance of the restored Civil War Monument, the first in the nation to be erected by civilians. Brandon Wilson will highlight the City’s recent improvements to this fragile site, as well as the Docent Program that opens the grounds on a regular basis during the seasonal months.

Light refreshments. Donations to further enhance the Cemetery always welcome.

Meet at the Cemetery on Somerville Avenue, next to Market Basket, at the edge of Union Square. For more information, please contact either Historic Preservation Commission Executive Director Brandon Wilson at 617‐625‐6600 ext. 2532 or bwilson@somervillema.gov or Barbara Magnum at 617‐625‐5809 or info@historicsomerville.org.

Seeking Additional Volunteers to Showcase the Historic Milk Row Cemetery Summer-Fall Season 2015

The city’s Historic Preservation Commission and Historic Somerville are looking for additional volunteers to open the city’s oldest burial ground, the 1804 Milk Row Cemetery, to the public one Sunday afternoon per month from 1-4PM, and ideally one weekday evening for two hours from June through November. The volunteers would be part of a Docent Program started three years ago to help guide interested visitors around the Cemetery and answer questions about the site and those buried there. Volunteers, known as “Docents,” will be trained by a member of Historic Somerville (HS) to serve as a guide, highlighting the history of the site, and offering an informational hand-out.

CW monument w Docent LisaTwo docents are scheduled at each opening of the cemetery and are expected to be 18 years old or older, unless accompanied by a guardian. They are encouraged, but not required, to wear period appropriate clothing, supplied by HS if needed. No prior experience is required, just a strong interest in Somerville history and an ability to convey
your enthusiasm with members of the public. The Cemetery is situated on Somerville Avenue, on the periphery of Union Square, directly adjoining the parking lot of Demoulas’ Market Basket.

If interested, please submit your contact information to admin@historicsomerville.org along with a brief biography and a statement of why you would like to become a docent.

If possible, please include your dates of availability for Sunday afternoons or a weeknight from June through November of this year. For further information, please contact Brandon Wilson via bwilson@somervillema.gov, or 617-625-6600, x.2532.