Framingham Historian To Retire, City To Recognize His Contributions

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham will honor longtime City Historian Frederic “Fred” Wallace on Tuesday, recognizing his decades of service to the community, officials said.

Mayor Charlie Sisitsky and the City Council will officially declare Dec. 31, 2025, as Frederic A. Wallace Day in Framingham.

Wallace has dedicated nearly two decades to preserving and sharing the history of Framingham. Appointed Town Historian in 2007, and later transitioning to City Historian, Wallace has served as the city’s foremost historical voice, providing invaluable insight into Framingham’s rich heritage, officials said.

He is also a respected author, having published three significant works: Pushing for Cushing in Ware & Peace: A History of Cushing Hospital 1943-1991, Framingham’s Civil War Hero: The Life of General George H. Gordon, and a book on the Rice Brothers.

A native of Melrose, Massachusetts, Wallace graduated from Melrose High School, attended Harvard University, and pursued further studies at the California Institute of Technology before earning a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Tufts University.

He enjoyed a distinguished career in the chemistry industry before joining Framingham State University as a lecturer in the Chemistry Department, retiring in 2008.

Wallace is a veteran of the Korean War as a United States Army intelligence officer from 1952 to 1954. Upon retiring, he devoted his time to volunteer work at the Framingham History Center, where his passion for research and community service flourished.

He will retire on Dec. 31, 2025.

The City will be advertising for applicants to serve as the next City Historian in December, with the Mayoral appointment expected in January 2026.