The Storied William Wallace is Keynote for 2026 Mass History Conference
Serving since 1976 as Executive Director for the Museum of Worcester (previously the Worcester Historical Museum), Bill Wallace has brought an infectious humor to his serious work establishing the Museum as a center for relevance and welcome that’s as dynamic and diverse as the city it serves. His sharp intellect and strong personality are tools that he uses to take on issues that can be challenging for an established institution: policing and race, colonialism and its legacy, women’s suffrage, and more.
A native of Northern New Hampshire, where he received his B.A. in History, he studied Museum Studies at the University of Connecticut, worked at Old Sturbridge Village and as Director at Oswego County New York Historical Society, before beginning his 50-year tenure at Museum of Worcester. Wallace is known as a community leader throughout Worcester, and a leader in the discipline among historians and museum professionals.
Most of all, any conversation with Bill Wallace conveys the fun of working in a field that you love. His keynote talk will kick off the MHA Annual conference with a jolt of energy and humor that will carry through the day.