Weekend Celebration Commemorates the 250th Wedding Anniversary of Abigail and John 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.

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, speaks on ******. Detailed info on the lunch needs to be included here.
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.