5 Things You Need To Know Today in Framingham: Thursday, March 24, 2022

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1 Bring your umbrella today.

National Weather Service is forecasting rain for most of the day with only a high temperature of 45 degrees. Chance of rain is 90%.

2. The Framingham History Center presents Frances Lewis Wilson: Letters from Haiti 1843-1870 tonight at 7 p.m. at Edgell Memorial Library and via ZOOM. Tickets are still available for the lecture featuring Joan Spinazola, Adjunct Professor of English at Worcester State University

“Frances Lewis Wilson lived on Indian Hill in Framingham as a full-time resident for 20 years before she died at the age of 100 in 1920.   She led a remarkable life with her husband John Littlejohn Wilson – who like his brothers-in-law – was a Boston shipping merchant.  John’s business in Haiti was destroyed in 1842 when an earthquake leveled the town of Cape Haitian killing 7,000 people.  He was determined to rebuild and Francis moved to the island in 1843 where she lived for 27 years.  Copies of Frances’ letters in the FHC collection shed light on her experience as the only white woman on the island and her reflections after witnessing 11 revolutions.  After several years in St. Augustine, Frances moved to Framingham permanently following her husband’s death in 1899,” according to the Framingham History Center.

Her life has fascinated presenter Joan Spinazola since the first time she portrayed her during a FHC Haunted Cemetery Tour in 2017.

Frances Lewis Wilson: Letters from Haiti 1843-1870 is made possible by the Libby Franck Storytelling Fund. A recording will be available to ticket purchasers only.

Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Click here to register.

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3. The Callahan Center presents Films That Changed America today from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Playwright and screenwriter Marc Lapadula, who is a senior lecturer at Yale University, is the virtual presenter.

A peculiar minority of films have had a profound impact on our culture. In this lecture, attendees will explores movies that-whether intentionally or not-have brought light to social issues.

These powerful stories have resulted in changed laws, forwarded ideologies-both good and bad, and often altered the course of American history through their resounding impact on society. Among the movies to be discussed: : The Jazz Singer, I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang, The Graduate, The Wild Bunch, Easy Rider, The French Connection, The Exorcist, Jaws, The China Syndrome, Annie Hall and Philadelphia.

Pre-registration is required for the virtual event.

4. According to the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, Mayor Charlie Sisitsky has no public events today.

And there are NO City of FRAMINGHAM meetings today.

5. The MetroWest Chamber of Commerce is hosting a joint networking event tonight with the Ashland Business Association at Dulce D Leche in Ashland from 5:30 to 7 p.m. $10 for members and $20 for not-yet members.