Art & Cultural Events List

There will be a public meeting concerning the proposed sale of the Somerville Main Post Office and the fate of the interior 1937 mural, 'A Skirmish Between British and Colonists Near Somerville in Revolutionary Times' by artist Ross Moffett hosted by the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission on Thursday March 6 at 7pm at City Hall. All fellow Somervillians who want to see this public treasure preserved, rather than sold off to the highest bidder, should attend this meeting.

Across America, the US Postal Service is liquidating historic post offices in the name of budget cuts. Many of these buildings contain significant New Deal era public artworks, like in Somerville. USPS has identified our main post office in Union Square as the only such post office in Massachusetts to be auctioned off. (Why us?) While the buildings are often repurposed, the beautiful artworks inside often get removed from public display and effectively become restaurant or office decorations for the new owners, available for viewing by appointment only.

If you have any concerns about the privatization of Somerville's historic post office or the preservation of the irreplaceable Moffett mural, it is important that your voice be heard now. Very important. The fate of Somerville's most cherished historical public art piece could be determined in the coming weeks. Please take the opportunity to join your neighbors and attend this meeting on Thursday to discuss the steps being taken to preserve Somerville's magnificent New Deal art legacy for generations to come.

Public Meeting: Potential Adverse Effects of USPS Proposed Sale
Somerville Main Post Office (National Register of Historic Places)
Hosted by Somerville Historic Preservation Commission
3rd Floor Conference Room, Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave. Somerville
Thursday March 6, 7pm

If you can't join the discussion at City Hall, comments can also be forwarded to the good folks at the Historical Commission at:

historic@somervillema.gov