Our View of the Times – August 16

On August 16, 2023, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Somerville’s got a lot of great history. That we all know. Going all the way back to the Pre-Revolutionary War days and then some.

Thanks to the fine folks at the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission and the Somerville Museum, we can all join in on seeking out and exploring some of the incredible historical sites that exist within our immediate environs.

Their docent program provides guided tours of three of the most prominent and historically intriguing sites in the city.

The Prospect Hill Tower stands at the site of American fortifications during the Revolutionary war and it also served as a training facility during the Civil War. The monument itself was designed by Ernest W. Bailey and built in 1904.

Volunteer docents will guide you to the top of the tower where you can take in the breathtaking view of the surrounding city.

First built for use as a windmill by John Mallet in the early 1703 or 1704, the Old Powder House was sold to the colonial government of Massachusetts for use as a gunpowder magazine in 1747. It is the oldest stone building in Massachusetts.

Milk Row Cemetery is a historic cemetery on Somerville Avenue and School Street. Established in 1804 on land donated by Samuel Tufts, it is the city’s oldest cemetery.

The Docent Tours are packed with fascinating information about these special historical treasures. Tours are ongoing now.

Go to www.somervillema.gov/historicpreservation or http://somervillemuseum.org to learn more and get prepared for a truly historical experience.

 

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