How does Historic Preservation help Somerville's vulnerable populations?

The Elizabeth Peabody House (EPH) supports families in the community through early childhood education, youth enrichment and development, and family services. Services include a nationally-accredited preschool, afterschool enrichment program, emergency food pantry. Families of EPH students hail from places like Haiti, El Salvador, and Brazil.

Founded in 1896 in the West End of Boston, EPH has been based in Somerville since the 1950s. Since 1979 EPH has occupied the former Broadway Methodist Episcopal Church, built in 1882, from which it operates its programs. EPH's historic landmark building located on Broadway in Winter Hill requires significant investment to preserve and restore the structure and to ensure that it is safe and accessible for community use.

Over four separate grants, the CPC has awarded a total of $163,000 to date for projects that help to keep the building operable. These have included urgent structural and safety improvements such as replacement of the roof and installation of an addressable fire alarm system. A CPA-funded building condition assessment in 2019 identified additional repairs and structural improvements needed to bring the building up to date. Following the findings of this assessment, the CPC awarded funds in FY22 for engineering and design to structurally reinforce the second floor so that the space can be used again for programming.

In its testimony at the CPC's annual public hearing, the Community Action Agency of Somerville identified childcare as a critical community need.