FRAMINGHAM, MA – 2014 is a landmark year for the Independent Association of Framingham State Alumni (IAFSA). It was founded 140 years ago in 1874.

Drawing from its archives and loaned items from alumni, IAFSA staff and volunteers have assembled a 140th Anniversary Celebration Exhibit at Alumni House, 42 Adams Road, Framingham.

As honored guests, members of the Framingham State Class of 1964 will officially open the exhibit with a ribbon-cutting ceremony during IAFSA’s annual meeting on Saturday morning, May 17th, 2014. The exhibit will close following IAFSA’s student scholarship award reception in the fall.

The exhibit features student life, alumni achievements and reminisces. It includes a retrospective fashion display, mementos, and scrapbooks. The student life displays include May Day, sports, and pageants like Miss Framingham State. The kitchen area features Ruth Wakefield, the inventor of the Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie, and period Home Economics notebooks, cookbooks, and food lab photos. (There will be chocolate chip cookie samples.)

The exhibit incorporates a Shoppers World exhibit, on loan from the Framingham History Center, as the original Shoppers World was a big part of student life.

An alcove is devoted to yearbooks and alumni authors and features a filmed interview of Dr. Mary Murphy, telling Framingham State’s connection to John F. Kennedy, and the book, “Letters to Jackie.” In early 1964 she organized a letter answering committee for Jackie Kennedy composed of 100 Framingham State students and staff. They hand addressed Jackie’s reply card to 15,000 who sent condolences upon JFK’s assassination. Dr. Murphy will tell her story during IAFSA’s Annual Meeting.

A grouping of hand sewn and vintage clothing created and worn by alumni during their undergraduate years will grace the Alumni House conference room. A “Wall of Fame” will sparkle with news about alumni achievements.

The free exhibit will be open weekdays 9 to 3 p.m., except holidays, and other hours by appointment. You do not need to be alumni to come and enjoy the exhibit.

Visitors can enter a raffle to win a Kindle Fire HD Tablet, Boston sports memorabilia, gift baskets from Office Depot and Trader Joe’s, Otterbox cases, and other prizes. The raffle benefits IAFSA’s scholarship funds. If coming a distance, call ahead in the event of an unexpected closure.

For additional information visit alumnihouse.org, Eventbrite.com, or call 508-872-9770, or email office@alumnihouse.org

The Independent Association of Framingham State Alumni has served alumni, students, and the Framingham State Community since 1874. This academic year it provided financial aid to about 70 students and aid to six alumni in need.

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The IAFSA is an independent, charitable organization that is not legally affiliated with Framingham State University.

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