Adams Presidential Center

08/27/2026

As students and teachers head back to the classroom, all of us at the Adams Presidential Center wish you a wonderful start to the new school year!

The Adams family believed that education was essential to preserving liberty and preparing citizens to meet the responsibilities of self-government. John and Abigail Adams encouraged curiosity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning, while John Quincy Adams championed education as a cornerstone of a thriving republic.

That belief continues to guide our work today. This summer, we were honored to welcome educators from across the country for the inaugural Adams Presidential Center Teacher Institute, where our Founding Teachers explored the history, ideas, and enduring relevance of the Founding Era while developing new ways to bring civic learning to life in their classrooms.

To every educator inspiring the next generation of informed and engaged citizens—and to every student beginning a new year of discovery—we wish you a school year filled with curiosity, growth, and meaningful learning.

Here's to a great year ahead!

08/26/2026

This week, we're 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."

Adams Presidential Center President Kurt Graham will join Dr. Jane Kamensky, President and CEO of Monticello and a former Adams Presidential Center Speaker Series panelist, for a timely conversation about how respectful disagreement, collaboration, and shared civic values remain essential to our constitutional republic. Prior to the p***c event, a Professional Development Workshop for Southern California K–12 educators exploring this important relationship in America's founding will be hosted.

We're honored to be part of this exciting partnership and meaningful discussion.

Learn more: https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/events/84112

08/21/2026

📚☀️ Summer Reading Spotlight ☀️📚

This featured read offers a deeply human look at one of America’s most principled—and often underestimated—presidents: “John Quincy Adams: Militant Spirit” by James Traub.

More than just a statesman, John Quincy Adams was a lifelong public servant shaped by duty, conviction, and a moral clarity that often put him at odds with politics as usual. From his precocious diplomatic career to his defiant stand against slavery in the House of Representatives, this biography explores the inner life of a man who never stopped fighting for what he believed was right.

Traub’s compelling narrative captures Adams as a complex figure: brilliant, stubborn, disciplined—and deeply committed to the idea that public service is a moral calling.

🔗 https://www.amazon.com/John-Quincy-Adams-Whole-People/dp/0593187245/

08/19/2026

Great conversations about America's founding require great partners.

We're proud to see Adams Presidential Center President Kurt Graham joining Dr. Jane Kamensky, President and CEO of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, for Founding Friends, Founding Foes: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, hosted by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum on August 26th. This exciting event will be the first in a series hosted at presidential libraries across the country.

Many in our community will remember Dr. Kamensky from her insightful appearance as part of the Adams Presidential Center Speaker Series, where she shared her expertise on the Founding Era and its lasting relevance. Together, Kurt and Dr. Kamensky will explore how respectful disagreement, collaboration, and shared civic values remain essential to our constitutional republic.

Prior to the public event, Southern California K–12 educators are invited to begin the afternoon with an exclusive professional development workshop led by the education teams from the Reagan Library, Monticello, and the Adams Presidential Center.

This partnership between three presidential institutions reflects our shared commitment to fostering thoughtful dialogue, deepening historical understanding, and inspiring civic engagement through the stories of America's founding.

Learn more here: https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/events/84112

08/18/2026

📚☀️ Summer Reading Spotlight ☀️📚

If you're looking for a compelling read before summer comes to a close, we recommend "Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic" by presidential historian Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky.

What happens when the most revered leader in American history steps aside? As George Washington retired, John Adams became the first president to inherit an office without a roadmap. In this engaging and deeply researched book, Dr. Chervinsky explores how Adams navigated intense political division, foreign threats, and unprecedented constitutional questions—establishing many of the presidential norms and democratic traditions that continue to shape the office today.

From the peaceful transfer of power to the responsibilities of executive leadership, Making the Presidency offers a fresh perspective on why John Adams' presidency deserves renewed attention—and why his example remains relevant for understanding American democracy.

What's on your summer reading list? Let us know in the comments!

08/13/2026

Did you know that John Quincy Adams was one of America’s earliest champions of astronomy?

A firm believer in science and education, JQA spent years advocating for a national observatory—calling it a “lighthouse of the skies.” Though many in Congress scoffed at the idea, Adams never gave up. His persistence helped inspire the creation of the U.S. Naval Observatory in 1844, one of the oldest scientific agencies in the country.

He was so devoted to the cause that some jokingly called him “the astronomer of the Capitol.”

In a world just beginning to look to the stars, John Quincy Adams reminded us that knowledge, like the universe, has no limits.

08/11/2026

📚🏛️ On This Day in History: The Birth of the Smithsonian 🏛️📚
On August 10, 1846, the Smithsonian Institution was officially established—thanks in no small part to the tireless advocacy of John Quincy Adams.

When an English scientist, James Smithson, left a bequest to the United States to create “an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge,” it was John Quincy Adams—then serving in the House of Representatives—who championed the cause.

For nearly a decade, Adams fought to honor Smithson’s wishes, navigating skepticism, legal battles, and political delays. His unwavering commitment helped secure the funds, shape the vision, and ultimately make the Smithsonian a reality.

Though he passed away just two years before the Institution opened its doors, his fingerprints are on its foundation—a testament to his belief in public education, science, and the power of knowledge.

Today, the Smithsonian stands as the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex—a living legacy of John Quincy Adams’ devotion to learning for all.

08/04/2026

Yesterday, we proudly welcomed an extraordinary cohort of Massachusetts educators in Quincy as they kicked off their week at the Adams Presidential Center Teacher Institute.

Over the next several days, these outstanding Mass. K–12 teachers will immerse themselves in the world of John and Abigail Adams, exploring the people, places, and ideas that shaped our nation's founding. Through visits to historic sites, conversations with leading scholars, hands-on engagement with artifacts, and collaborative learning about the Adamses steadfast commitment to selfless public service and active citizenship, they'll gain new tools to engage students in classrooms across the Commonwealth to serve their communities.

These Massachusetts educators are partners in our mission to inspire the next generation of informed, engaged citizens. We are honored to learn alongside them this week and can't wait to see the impact they'll have when they return to their schools.

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our Adams Presidential Center Teacher Institute Massachusetts participants! 🇺🇸

07/29/2026

Have you ever wondered what life was really like inside the Adams family?

Our friends at the Massachusetts Historical Society have published a fascinating new blog post, "John Quincy Adams and the Great Divide," exploring the complex relationships, personal struggles, and family dynamics that shaped the life of America's sixth president through the lens of Noah Kahan's lyrics. Drawing on the extraordinary Adams Papers, the post offers a compelling reminder that history is not only about public achievements—it's also about the private moments that shaped the people behind them.

As proud partners in preserving and sharing the Adams legacy, we're grateful to the Massachusetts Historical Society for continuing to bring these remarkable stories to life.

Read the full post here: https://www.masshist.org/beehiveblog/2026/07/john-quincy-adams-and-the-great-divide/

John Quincy Adams and the Great Divide July 7, 2026 By Gwen Fries, Adams Papers New England’s son Noah Kahan makes his triumphant return to Fenway Park this week, including an 11 July show on the birthday of John Quincy Adams. Kahan’s works have long reminded me of JQA but none moreso than Kahan...

07/26/2026

💍 On This Day in History: A Presidential Partnership Begins 💍
On July 26, 1797, John Quincy Adams married Louisa Catherine Johnson in London, forming a lifelong partnership that would span continents, politics, and profound personal trials.

Louisa became the only First Lady born outside the United States until the 21st century, and her life with John Quincy was anything but ordinary. Together, they navigated diplomacy in Europe, political storms in Washington, and the weighty legacy of the Adams family.

Though often separated by duty, their marriage was rooted in mutual respect, sharp intellect, and quiet strength.

Today, we remember not just their union—but the remarkable story of two individuals whose love and perseverance helped shape a nation.

https://www.masshist.org/beehiveblog/2014/07/for-your-mutual-happiness-and-dedicated-to-the-public-the-marriage-of-john-quincy-and-louisa-catherine-adams/