Remembering Peale Board Member Romaine Somerville
“Helping to restore the Peale Museum left neglected for years by Baltimore City was just the ticket for Romaine Somerville. Diminutive in stature, but filled to the brim with enthusiasm, good nature, and interest in preserving Baltimore’s historic buildings and neighborhoods, she joined the Peale Board and served as its secretary. At the time, the Peale Board was small and met in private homes to plan strategies to raise the millions of dollars necessary to repair and reopen the failing building. Romaine arrived at meetings impeccably dressed and ready to get to work. She had years of experience in the museum world and the contacts to match. She was always willing to make phone calls and write letters to help the board achieve its goals.
Romaine often lingered after board meetings over a cup of tea and loved to talk about her grandchildren. She was proud of their accomplishments and glad they lived nearby in Washington, DC. She was very skeptical when her daughter bought a place near the beach but came to love spending long relaxing weekends there with Frank and her family.
Romaine’s love of art and art history melded well with the history of the Peale Family and their contributions to the young America’s art world. Her beloved home in Bolton Hill and its adjoining neighbor was built of stone left over from the 1890 construction of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, located right across Lafayette Street. Her library of art history books and a grand piano shared the sun filled front room on the second floor of her house. She looked forward to her annual trip to the Winter Show in New York City where she met former colleagues, was surrounded by beautiful art and antiques and added to her library at home.
The Peale, a National Historic Landmark and America’s first purpose-built museum, is now restored to tell its story and share the stories of Baltimore’s citizens. Romaine Somerville appreciated its historic and architectural significance as well as its role in America’s art history and contributed to its successful preservation.”
—Sally Johnston, former Treasurer of the Peale
Photo of Romaine Somerville by Julia Ulstrup
