Adams Presidential Center

10/08/2026

How can civic friendship endure in an age of political disagreement?

Join the Adams Presidential Center, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and the LBJ Presidential Library for "Founding Friends, Founding Foes: Civic Friendship & Coalitions in the Age of John Adams & Thomas Jefferson," a special America 250 program exploring how two of the nation's most influential Founders navigated profound differences while remaining committed to the ideals of the American experiment.

Adams Presidential Center President Kurt Graham will join Dr. Jane Kamensky, President and CEO of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, in a conversation moderated by Mark Updegrove, Chairman and CEO of the LBJ Foundation. Together, they'll examine how disagreement, coalition-building, and a shared commitment to civic values helped shape our constitutional republic—and why those lessons remain just as relevant today.

📅 Wednesday, October 21
📍 LBJ Presidential Library | Austin, Texas
🕡 6:30–8:00 p.m.

We hope you'll join us for this thought-provoking conversation as we continue commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Learn more and register: https://www.lbjlibrary.org/events/public/2026-10-21_founding-friends-founding-foes-civic-friendship-coalitions-age-john-adams

Join the LBJ Presidential Library, Adams Presidential Center, and Monticello on October 21 for Founding Friends, Founding Foes, celebrating the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary.

10/07/2026

Join us for the first-ever Adams History Trivia Night TONIGHT, October 7 from 7:00-9:00pm at Break Rock Brewing!

Get your team together and get ready to make history at Adams’ History Trivia in a fast-paced battle of wits packed with surprising facts, fascinating stories, and challenging questions about John Adams, Abigail Adams, the American Revolution, and the extraordinary world they lived in. Whether you’re a serious history buff or just love a good challenge, Adams History Trivia is your chance to compete, learn, laugh, and show off what you know! Bring your dog too! Hosted by the Adams Presidential Center and Tag Team Trivia.

https://breakrockbrewing.com/event/free-weekly-trivia-adams-history-themed-trivia-night/

Get your team together and get ready to make history at Adams’ History Trivia in for a fast-paced battle of wits packed with surprising facts, fascinating stories, and challenging questions about John Adams, Abigail Adams, the American Revolution, and the extraordinary world they lived in. Whether...

10/07/2026

What can the lives of John and Abigail Adams teach us about leadership, partnership, and civic responsibility today?

Join the Adams Presidential Center, in partnership with and the GBH Forum Network, for the next installment of our Adams Speaker Series: "John and Abigail Adams." This engaging conversation will explore the remarkable leadership of America's most influential founding couple and the enduring relevance of their ideas for our constitutional democracy.

The discussion will feature Colleen Shogan, PhD, presidential historian and author of the "In Pursuit" series, alongside Kurt Graham, PhD, President of the Adams Presidential Center, as they examine the Adamses' extraordinary partnership, their commitment to public service, and the civic values that continue to inspire us today.

📅 Thursday, October 29
📍 Old South Meeting House, Boston

We hope you'll join us for what promises to be a fascinating conversation about two remarkable Americans whose legacy continues to shape our nation.

Register today: https://theadamspresidentialcenter.org/events/adams-speaker-series-john-and-abigail-adams/

Join the Adams Presidential Center in partnership with Revolutionary Spaces and the GBH Forum Network for an engaging conversation exploring the remarkable leadership and enduring contributions of John and Abigail Adams and their relevance to America today. Renowned historians and civic education le...

09/30/2026

Join us for the first-ever Adams History Trivia Night on October 7 from 7:00-9:00pm at Break Rock Brewing!

Get your team together and get ready to make history at Adams’ History Trivia in a fast-paced battle of wits packed with surprising facts, fascinating stories, and challenging questions about John Adams, Abigail Adams, the American Revolution, and the extraordinary world they lived in. Whether you’re a serious history buff or just love a good challenge, Adams History Trivia is your chance to compete, learn, laugh, and show off what you know! Bring your dog too! Hosted by the Adams Presidential Center and Tag Team Trivia.

https://breakrockbrewing.com/event/free-weekly-trivia-adams-history-themed-trivia-night/

09/29/2026

Leadership often takes many forms—sometimes through public office, and sometimes through quiet determination, intellectual curiosity, and a lifelong commitment to service.

This recent essay in the "In Pursuit" series, "Lead for a Cause, Not for Applause," by historian Nancy Beck Young, explores the remarkable life of Lou Henry Hoover, highlighting her dedication to public service, education, and civic engagement.

Her story echoes that of the Adams women. Like Abigail Adams and Louisa Catherine Adams, Lou Henry Hoover was far more than the spouse of a president. She was an accomplished thinker, an advocate for education and volunteerism, and a partner in public life whose influence extended well beyond the White House. Each demonstrated that meaningful leadership is grounded in character, service, and a commitment to causes greater than oneself.

Their lives remind us that some of history's most enduring contributions come not from seeking recognition, but from steadfastly serving others.

Read the latest "In Pursuit" essay here: https://inpursuit.substack.com/p/lou-henry-hoover-by-nancy-beck-young

Civic leadership matters most when it isn’t performed for applause

09/28/2026

How should leaders respond when a nation faces extraordinary challenges?

This recent essay in the "In Pursuit" series, by presidential historian George H. Nash, explores the life and legacy of Herbert Hoover, inviting readers to look beyond his presidency and consider his lifelong commitment to public service, humanitarian relief, and civic responsibility. George H. Nash is widely recognized as one of the foremost scholars of Hoover's life and work.

That perspective offers an interesting parallel to the Adams family. John Adams and John Quincy Adams both believed that public office was not a path to personal gain but a solemn obligation to serve the nation. Though they lived in different eras and confronted different challenges, both the Adamses and Hoover shared a conviction that leadership demanded integrity, perseverance, and a willingness to place the public good above personal ambition.

The "In Pursuit" series continues to encourage thoughtful reflection on the ideas, values, and individuals who have shaped the American presidency—and what their stories can teach us today.

Read the latest essay here: https://inpursuit.substack.com/p/herbert-hoover-by-george-h-nash

A leader can lose power without losing influence

09/26/2026

What makes a leader worthy of trust?

This recent essay in the "In Pursuit" series, "Authenticity Builds Trust When Actions Match Values," by Colleen Shogan, examines the life of Grace Coolidge and the enduring lesson that authentic leadership is rooted in integrity, consistency, and character.

That message would have resonated with the Adams family. John and Abigail Adams believed that public service began with private virtue, and throughout their lives they emphasized the importance of character, honesty, and living according to one's principles. Whether in the presidency, public life, or within the family, the Adamses understood that trust is earned through actions that reflect deeply held values.

Grace Coolidge's story reminds us that leadership is not measured solely by titles or accomplishments, but also by the example we set for others.

Read the latest "In Pursuit" essay here: https://inpursuit.substack.com/p/grace-coolidge-by-colleen-shogan

Authenticity builds trust when public actions match private values

09/25/2026

Meet our APC Board Member, Erin Perkins. Erin is the Assistant Superintendant of Quincy Public Schools.

https://theadamspresidentialcenter.org/about/

09/24/2026

The Adams Presidential Center was proud to partner with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello for "Founding Friends, Founding Foes: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson."

Featuring Adams Presidential Center President Dr. Kurt Graham alongside Dr. Jane Kamensky, President and CEO of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, the discussion explores the remarkable relationship between two Founding Fathers whose friendship, rivalry, and eventual reconciliation continue to offer timeless lessons about respectful disagreement, civic dialogue, and the enduring strength of our constitutional republic.

We're honored to have been part of this meaningful collaboration and invite you to watch the full conversation.

View the panel here: https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/america250/founding-friends-founding-foes

Founding Friends, Founding Foes.