Jennifer Marotta
Age when this tile was made: 10
Where did you live when you made this tile?Chandler Street
Where do you live now?Andover
Do you consider Somerville your hometown? Yes
What is your earliest Somerville memory?Playing Red Rover, Go to My Den, kickball with the extended Chandler Street crew. Seeing Dotty (grandma) walking home from Lyndell's in her white uniform. Going to the High Tower with my parents and brother. Gardening in the yard with grandpa. Playing in the sprinkler and plastic mini pool with my brother and all the kids on the street. Chandler St. hoop. Walking down Broadway during the Bilzzard of '78. Going to the Somerville Theater.
How would you describe Somerville in the 1980s?Home. Our street was all families. All friends. My house had 4 generations :) -multi generation homes were not uncommon. We all hung out and looked out for eachother. Blue collar, close-knit, hard working families.
How would you describe Somerville today?Much more transient, expensive and yes, yuppy. I love the West Somerville area - great restaurants and bars. If it was beginning to be a melting pot in the 70's and 80's, it has certainly achieved that today. There seem to be a lot more students living in apartments of the multi-family homes we grew up in. I like the vibe but it's definitely different.
How has Somerville changed?Absolutely. Accessibility due to the T, influx of students from Harvard, Tufts, MIT, increase in property values, migration of our generation to the burbs.
