1854

Abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison Burns US Constitution at Framingham Rally

156 Franklin Street: there is a small marker with a plaque, placed there by the Framingham Historical Society
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156 Franklin Street: there is a small marker with a plaque, placed there by the Framingham Historical Society Credit: Plaque at 156 Franklin Street. Source: Historic Framingham blog.

The Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society holds a rally in Framingham at Harmony Grove. The site is home to many advocacy events over the years.

The Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society (previously the New England Anti-Slavery Society and American Anti-Slavery Society) was first organized in 1838. Beginning in the 1850s the group holds rallies across the state on the fourth of July. One such rally occurs in Framingham in an area known as Harmony Grove. At the rally, abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison burns a copy of the US Constitution because of its references to slavery, drawing mixed reactions from the crowd. For about 20 years, Harmony Grove is the site of numerous political gatherings, including events related to women's rights. The land is eventually divided into plots and developed into housing. 

Accessed 5/3/2024 via Access Framingham's YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/@AccessFramingham/videos

In 2021, an elementary school in Framingham is renamed to Harmony Grove Elementary School in recognition of the historic space.

 

Sources
https://bostonbook.org/tag/slavery/ https://bostonbook.org/2022/07/06/harmony-grove/
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