Framingham Woodrow Wilson Elementary Renaming Goes Public

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham is in the process of renaming a school named after a U.S. president who has expressed racist views, and an upcoming forum will address the change and the school's history.

Woodrow Wilson Elementary opened in 1928 and was named after the 28th president due to his popularity at the time. But during his presidency, Wilson supported segregation in the federal government, and wrote in support of the Ku Klux Klan and denying Black citizens the right to vote.

"This event calls upon the expertise of several community partners to help provide education and understanding about Woodrow Wilson, the Woodrow Wilson Elementary School and its current model, the history of the school and how it received its name originally, as well as how and why Framingham Public Schools is pursuing this name change," a Framingham Public Schools news release said.

Framingham Public Schools began a path toward renaming the school over the summer, and several new names have already been suggested.

The Tuesday forum will cover the renaming process, and dive into the school and Wilson's history. Featured speakers include:

• Framingham Superintendent Robert Tremblay
• School Committee member on the Renaming Planning Committee
• School leaders and students from Woodrow Wilson Elementary
• Framingham State University history professor Lori Gemeiner Bihler
• Framingham History Center Assistant Director Laura Rankin
• Framingham Public Library community outreach head Lara Vilahomat

The forum will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The event will be held on Zoom, and you can register to attend here.