The “PICK UP! Somerville Museum is calling!” fundraising event brought local historical awareness to life in a fun and witty fashion. ~Photos courtesy of Somerville Museum

By Eliot Josti

The Somerville Museum displayed an array of artwork, from modern to historical, focused on a fundraising event on Thursday. “PICK UP! Somerville Museum is calling!” brought in amazing local acts from comedians to dancers to honor the first residential phone ever made in the world.

In partnership with America’s 250th celebrations, the “Let Freedom Ring” public art project invited the community to interact with the history and future of the city.

“The idea behind the exhibit was to display how history is told, and who is left out. Especially during the 250th anniversary, it is almost a reckoning period. Since the exhibition was called ‘History on the Line,’ we took maps, lines, routes, and telephones to display the message,” said Stephanie Marlin-Curiel, executive director of The Somerville Museum.

As Somerville residents explored the exhibit, refreshments were served while TJ the DJ played music all night long. Jimmy Tingle also attended the event with several jokes and acts to keep the energy high. The Sambaviva Brazilian dance ensemble put on an amazing performance to a melody of telephone-themed songs.

Lastly, a creative video combining puppetry and history was played, dedicating its storyline to Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone.

In addition, twelve telephone boxes were recreated by several artists, giving people the chance to not only listen to stories being told, but record and share their thoughts.

Anusha Tandon created a vintage phone line where Somerville citizens discussed their interpretations of freedom and could even listen to the words of their fellows.

“The sound piece called ‘Messages’ by Anusha was really a work of art. We had great feedback from the event, and it was truly an amazing evening,” said Marlin-Curiel.

One telephone box by Sophie (Phi) Day represented the Women’s Suffrage Movement, displaying imagery in connection to two “Somerville Suffragettes,” Martha A. Perry Lowe and Maria Theresa Hollander. Both Somerville natives were social activists and extremely successful women who shaped the movement.

“The star motif throughout the piece is pulled from an abolitionist baby quilt associated with M.T. Hollander, reminding us that the fight for liberty is always intersectional and that victories are won when everyone is guaranteed equal rights,” said Day in her artist statement.

Not only is Somerville rooted in deep American history, but it continues honoring and crediting those whose stories might not be told.

“We want to design a way to display history that has been hidden, even those not associated with the revolution, ensuring that Somerville is marked,” said Marlin-Curiel.