Framingham History Collections
Welcome to the Framingham History Center's Virtual Exhibits! We invite you to browse portions of our collections on your own schedule and wherever you can access the worldwide web. Virtual exhibits enable us to supplement the exhibits in the Framingham time line, in the Old Academy building, and our special exhibitions in the Edgell Memorial Library building. We invite your comments and questions by email or telephone.
The Framingham History Center's Virtual Exhibits are made possible through the skill and dedication of History Center volunteers, and supported, in part, by a grant from the Framingham Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Our collections span the history and pre-history of the town. They trace their origins to recorded dates from 1655 to the present, and dates suggested by archaeological evidence as early as 10,000 B.C. These treasures are housed in the Old Academy and Edgell Memorial Library buildings, clustered around the Framingham Centre Common. The collections are accessible through exhibitions, programs, onsite research, loan to other organizations, and, increasingly, virtual exhibits.
Danforth Book
We have recently acquired a book owned and inscribed by Thomas Danforth in 1671. The book is a commentary by Joseph Caryl on some chapters of the Book of Job. Ten generous donors contributed to this acquisition.
The chief importance of this ancient book is its history of ownership. Thomas Danforth, a dominant figure in the courts and governance of colonial Massachusetts, could be called the founder of Framingham. For his services to the colony he was awarded a series of land grants originally called Danforth's Farms. With additional parcels he purchased, the land eventually totaled 15,000 acres. He named the settlement Framingham, after his birthplace Framlingham in England.
In 1692 Danforth presided over some of the witchcraft trials in Salem. After the trials refugees including Sarah Cloyes, Benjamin Nurse, and Benjamin Bridges and their families arrived in Framingham and built homesteads in an area that is still called Salem End.
Gifts from Roger Heinen
Long-time member Roger Heinen has presented us with two large file boxes filled with research materials gathered over several decades, on many aspects of the history of Framingham. Roger's work has added to our knowledge of Framingham's fountains, restaurants, theatres, stores, dwellings and more.
He has also brought us a collection of surface finds he gathered at the Rugg-Gates-Dennett house, near the intersection of Route 9 and the Massachusetts Turnpike. Built at the western fringe of the town for the Rugg family about 1774, the house was remodeled and expanded in the colonial revival style under the direction of architect W. Hartley Dennett and his brother J. Vaughan Dennett in 1906. Roger's finds include fragments of ceramic dishes, glass bottles, wood and metal objects, giving us insight into the lives of the occupants of two centuries.
Past Exhibitions
An Exhibition of Floyd Walser's Art
The Framingham History Center presented an exhibition of Floyd Walser's art at the Edgell Memorial Library, 3 Oak Street, in Framingham. The exhibit was open during the first two weeks in April, Wednesday through Saturday, April 2-5 and April 9-12, 2008, from noon to 4PM.
The watercolor paintings depicting Framingham scenes, portraits, and photographs are a gift of Hazel and the late Carlo Belloli, and Richard Rotelli. They illustrate the life of a remarkable man who overcame severe disabilities due to polio and painted with only the use of his right arm. For more information watch the video below, or call 508.872.3780.
Click to see a slide show of Walser prints.
After viewing the slide show, you may want to purchase one of the limited edition prints the Framinghman History Center is making available in the online Museum shop. You can click on the link above or go directly to the prints by clicking here.
Structure and Design
This exhibition celebrated Framingham's architectural riches. Structure and Design: Three Centuries of Framingham Architecture was presented to the public from April 26 through August 16, 2003.
Abbondanza
The Museum celebrated the lives and the contributions of Framingham Italian-Americans in an exhibition and program highlighting the theme of "Abbondanza! The Richness of Italian-American Life in Framingham." The exhibition ran from March 27 through August 28, 2004.
The exhibition featured personal histories, from the immigrants' departure from Italy through their lives in Framingham, and the lives of their descendants, captured in personal belongings including passports, naturalization papers, photographs, needlework, dolls, tools and cooking implements.
Musterfield
On the eve of new developments at the former State Musterfield, an exhibit was designed to commemorate this historic site. Two panels, a diorama and brochures for visitors illustrated the history of the training and assembly area for the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, in use since the first encampment in 1873.
The Musterfield exhibit will become a permanent part of the Framingham time line in the Old Academy building
World War II
Were they heroes - or ordinary Framingham citizens called upon to do extraordinary things? Toward Victory: Winning World War II From Home will raise this question through an exhibition and a series of programs organized by the Framingham Historical Society and Museum and sponsored by Banknorth. The exhibition ran from April 2 through September 24, 2005.
