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Our History

Elizabeth Palmer Peabody (1804-1894) was a writer, educator, and activist who supported efforts to abolish slavery and advance women’s rights. Elizabeth Peabody also opened the first English-language kindergarten in the U.S. in 1860.

Today, the Elizabeth Peabody House is located in Somerville where our organization upholds Elizabeth’s values in supporting immigrant communities of Greater Boston and providing early childhood education and family support services.

A group of EPH students and staff members pose for a photo.

125 Years of Service

In 2022, we celebrated the Elizabeth Peabody House’s 125th birthday. From our roots as a settlement house at the turn of the 20th century, to Leonard Nimoy’s first theatrical home, to our move to Somerville and our historic facility, we are proud of our organization. We plan to continue putting local families and children first for the next 125 years.

Make a Donation

The Elizabeth Peabody House exists to serve our community in Somerville and surrounding towns. Every single donation goes directly to our programs and operating costs, including purchases of PPE to keep our teachers and students safe, and partitions to divide up our classroom space. We are extremely grateful for the aid we receive from our community partners, neighbors, families, and supporters as we continue to do our work.