250th Wedding Anniversary Celebration of John and Abigail Adams

Abigail Adams Historical Society, Adams National Historical Park, and First Church in Weymouth proudly commemorate the 250th anniversary of the marriage of Abigail and John Adams by presenting the 250th Wedding Anniversary Celebration Weekend of Abigail and John Adams, from Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26, with events held at Abigail Adams Birthplace, 180 Norton Street, Weymouth; First Church in Weymouth, 17 Church Street; and Adams National Historical Park, 135 Adams Street, Quincy. Open to the public, this series of events spanning 3 days honors the presidential couple’s anniversary. The public is invited to wear eighteenth-century attire to the events. Schedule of Events: Friday, October 24 REENACTMENT OF THE WEDDING OF ABIGAIL AND JOHN ADAMS 11 am First Church in Weymouth A living history presentation welcomes the public to travel back in time and witness the presidential couple on their wedding day, traveling by horse and carriage from Abigail Adams Birthplace to First Church where a commemorative weeding will be held. Reenactor Elias LaCroix, a direct descendant of Abigail Adams, portrays Abigail as the bride to reenactor Michael LePage, portraying John Adams. Henry Cook portrays Abigail’s father, the Reverend William Smith, who officiates the marriage. Students of Weymouth schools and the public line the route to wish them well. Admission is free; reservations are highly recommended, seating is limited to capacity. Event will be held rain or shine. Complimentary reception including colonial treats and tours immediately follows at Abigail Adams Birthplace. Friday, October 24 COMMEMORATIVE WEDDING RECEPTION 7 pm to 9 pm Abigail Adams Birthplace Mr. and Mrs. John Adams’ wedding festivities continue with an intimate wine and hors d’oeuvres reception at historic Abigail Adams Birthplace. Guests have an opportunity to mingle and chat in the home where Abigail was raised, and where she and the future president courted. Admission is $125, $100 for AAHS members; reservations are recommended. Saturday, October 25 SYMPOSIUM: Abigail & John: 250 Years Together 9 am to noon First Church in Weymouth Five accomplished scholars make presentations in two sessions on the roles of these important public figures and their legacy in American history, followed by discussion. Admission is free; reservations are recommended, seating is limited to capacity. Generously co-sponsored by the Adams Papers at the Massachusetts Historical Society Noon LUNCHEON: with keynote speaker Edith Gelles Abigail Adams Birthplace Stanford University historian Edith Gelles, author of several biographies of Abigail Adams, and Portrait of a Marriage, a book about the union of Abigail and John, will speak. Admission is $25, $20 for AAHS members; reservations are recommended. 3 pm WORLD PREMIERE: James Kallembach’s Songs on Letters of John and Abigail Adams Carriage House, Adams National Historical Park The Lydian Quartet and soloists Clara Osowski and Paul Max Tipton perform Kallembach’s seven-song cycle on the very day of John and Abigail’s 250th wedding anniversary. Admission is free. Sunday, October 26 CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE SERVICE 10 am First Church in Weymouth The celebratory events continue with an ecumenical service celebrating American independence, featuring readings from some of the nation’s founding documents. Coffee reception immediately following at Abigail Adams Birthplace. Admission is free, seating is first come, first served; limited to capacity. 12 noon WREATH LAYING: Graves of Elizabeth and William Smith North Weymouth Cemetery, adjacent to Abigail Adams Birthplace Following the coffee reception, guests are invited to proceed to historic North Weymouth Cemetery for the laying of wreaths at the graves of Abigail Smith Adams’s parents. Admission is free. For a complete schedule and detailed information on the events of the 250th Wedding Anniversary Celebration Weekend of Abigail and John Adams, to make event reservations, or for membership, program, or donation details to support Abigail Adams Birthplace, visit www.abigailadamsbirthplace.com. The weekend’s events are generously co-sponsored by The Adams Papers at the Massachusetts Historical Society, First Church in Weymouth, and Adams National Historical Park. To learn more about The Adams Papers, please visit www.masshist.org. For more information on the First Church, visit www.firstchurchweymouth.webs.com. For more information on Adams National Historical Park, visit www.nps.gov/adam/index.htm.