Framingham History Center

CONTACT:

P.O.Box 2032
Framingham, MA 01703
508-626-9091
www.framinghamhistory.org

Anne R. Murphy, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Framingham, probably most noted today for the famous Framingham Heart Study, is the largest �town� in Massachusetts (population: 70,000). As it grew, it diversified�economically, culturally, ethnically, and socially, challenging its traditional cohesion and community. Major divisive arteries have dispersed and dissolved the traditional town center; the town�s website contains no information about the community as a whole, its history and character. So FHSM, founded in 1888, has a major teaching job to do. Located on the historic Centre Common, FHSM is blessed with a campus of three historic town-owned buildings�The Edgell Memorial Library, the Old Academy, and recently from a merger with the Framingham Improvement Association, the Village Hall�the seat of Town government until 1891. It maintains a collection of over 10,000 museum-quality artifacts, with a research library and archive covering four centuries of the town�s history, from Native American material remains and a Revutionary War cannon, to Christa McAuliffe�s space suit. Recent program successes are a �haunted trolley tour� at Halloween, many events attracting hundreds of attendees, an annual tour of historic homes, and plans for a major gifts �Campaign for the Common� to raise $5 million�to which Town Meeting recently voted to contribute $650,000; the Massachusetts Historical Commission has contributed $52,000. The key to FHSM�s success is strong leadership of both Board and Staff.

(2008: CULTURE: Education: Informal: Historic Preservation)