Adams National Historic Park

We recently enjoyed a visit to the birth place of John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams our 2nd and 6th Presidents.  The two houses are still on their original foundations just steps from one another in Quincy, MA about 7 miles south of Boston (Quincy was originally part of the city of Braintree). The dwellings and surrounding land are part of our National Park System.  Admission is $10 for those aged 17 and up and includes all buildings, grounds, and transportation.  They do recognize National Park passes which is what we used.  (note that groups of 8 or more need to call ahead to make reservations).

The tour starts from the Visitor Center located in The Galleria at President's Place, 1250 Hancock St, Quincy. Convenient parking is available in a garage behind but connected to this building.  They graciously validate your parking stub at the same desk you purchase tickets.





We viewed the informational history film (approx 15 minutes, looped so always playing) then browsed their book/souvenir store before boarding the trolley that would transport us directly to the site, just minutes away.

John Adams' father, "Deacon John", was a farmer and part time shoemaker. The oldest part of his house, the 2nd President's birthplace, was built about 1681 with additions done in the early 1700's.  A park guide escorted our small group through these rooms giving forewarning of low door frames and slanted floorboards while pointing out its many interesting architectural features. He proved both knowledgeable and entertaining when discussing societal nuances of the time and sharing biographical information of the colonial inhabitants and time period.  This was especially true of the next door home of John and Abigail Adams.

We have access to both personal accounts of their everyday colonial life and informative descriptions of Revolutionary era events by reading the more than 1000 letters they wrote to each other.  The many biographies written about this extraordinary couple are fascinating reads but it is the collections of their letters that will amaze and enchant the reader.  I encourage you to google quotes from Abigail's letters...you'll be searching out more from this intuitive forward thinking woman of centuries ago.

Outside across the lawn we watched a group of schoolchildren being instructed on how to carry muskets then doing marching drills under the tutelage of a colonial "redcoat" officer as part of their field trip to this historical site.

A trolley then took us to our next stop on the tour - Peace Field - the working farm/country estate John and Abigail owned after the war, (named "in commemoration of the peace which I assisted in making in 1783..." per John Adams).  It is located just 1 mile from their original farm house and encompassed a total of 75 acres when originally purchased in 1787.

this is the only pic I took, all others were found on the internet

The gardens and plantings around the house are incredibly beautiful and still include some of the original specimens  (lush rose bushes, scented lilacs, majestic trees, and low privet hedges are still thriving, most brought over from Europe during his time as ambassador). There is a monumental wisteria vine seen here growing up the chimney whose gnarled and twisted stem is thicker than a man's arm. Tradition tells us that Abigail planted it before her death in 1818.  It still blooms yearly, as do the White York roses Abigail planted in 1788.

The inside is amazing, so genteel and elegant, but warm and inviting for all its age.  The furniture is original to the house, most used by 4 generations of Adams'.

So many great paintings and family portraits adorn the walls (most are copies as the originals are in museums).  Abigail's Waterford crystal, silver services, and dinnerware she purchased from various countries are some of the incredible collections also on display.






We especially enjoyed being inside the spectacular stone library, built in 1870 beside the house. It houses over 14,000 thousand books, personal papers of the 2 presidents and John Adams' copy of George Washington's farewell address.

 Here is where they also display the Mendi Bible, which was given by the Mendi captives in thanks for their freedom to John Quincy Adams after he had successfully defended them before the United States Supreme Court in 1841 (this story is told in the movie Armistad, directed by Stephen Spielberg).

I hope you can make the visit if you're in the Boston area.  Visit their web site for special events (the National Park Service site).  I also highly recommend the John Adams miniseries (2008) based on the excellent David McCullough book.  I believe it is available through YouTube, Amazon, and probably other streaming venues.

loving history,

especially of the American Colonial times,
and when it's in my own backyard.

this 1770 Matthew Pratt (colonial era painter) rendering of Lucy Randolph Burwell

shows a tiara