Adams National Historical Park facts for kids
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Adams National Historical Park
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Former U.S. National Historic Site
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John Adams birthplace
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 135 Adams St., Quincy, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 8.5 acres (3.4 ha) (NRHP listing) 13.82 acres (5.59 ha) (9.17 acres (3.71 ha) federal) |
| Built | 1681 |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Federal |
| Visitation | 12,848 (2022) |
| Website | Adams National Historical Park |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000051 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Boundary increase | November 26, 1952 |
| Designated NHS | December 9, 1946 |
| Designated NHP | November 2, 1998 |
The Adams National Historical Park in Quincy, Massachusetts, is a special place. It protects the homes of two U.S. Presidents: John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams. It also preserves the homes of other important family members like Charles Francis Adams Sr., a U.S. envoy, and writers Henry Adams and Brooks Adams.
This national park has eleven buildings that tell the story of five generations of the Adams family. Their history spans from 1720 to 1927. The family included presidents, first ladies, diplomats, historians, and writers. The park's main attractions include Peacefield, which was home to four generations of the family. You can also visit the John Adams Birthplace and the nearby John Quincy Adams Birthplace. The Stone Library, built in 1870, is also here. It holds over 14,000 old books and is thought to be the first presidential library.
There is a Visitors Center nearby where you can start your visit. Guided tours of the historic houses are available from April 19 to November 10 each year. You can also visit the United First Parish Church, known as the Church of the Presidents. The Adams family worshipped there, and many of them are buried there. The church offers its own tours and asks for a small donation.
Contents
John Adams' Childhood Home
This house is a very important landmark. It is the actual birthplace of John Adams, who became the second U.S. President. His father, Deacon John Adams, Sr., bought the house in 1720. John Adams lived here until 1764, when he married Abigail Smith. This home is just a short walk from the house where John and Abigail Adams later lived.
John Quincy Adams' Birthplace
This house was home to John and Abigail Adams and their children. They lived here when John Adams was helping to write the Declaration of Independence. It was also their home during the American Revolutionary War. Their son, John Quincy Adams, was born here in 1767. He grew up in this house and later lived here with his own family.
Peacefield: The Adams Family Home
The Old House, also called Peacefield, was first built in 1731. It was a summer home for a sugar plantation owner named Leonard Vassall. The house was empty for a while before John Adams bought it in 1787. He also bought 75 acres of land with it. The Adams family moved in the next year and renamed it Peacefield. Different generations of the family lived there until 1927. That year, Brooks Adams, the last family member to live there, passed away. The house was then sold to the Adams Memorial Society.
The National Park Service took over the property in 1947. Since then, it has been a National Historic Site.
The Stone Library
The Stone Library was finished in 1870. It stands right next to Peacefield. This special building holds personal papers and over 14,000 books. These books belonged to John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Charles Francis Adams, Henry Adams, and Brooks Adams. John Quincy Adams wanted the library to be built from stone. He hoped this would protect the valuable books from fire.
The Library has some amazing items. It includes John Adams' own copy of George Washington's Farewell Address. It also holds the Mendi Bible. This Bible was given to John Quincy Adams in 1841. It was a gift from the freed Mendi captives. These people had bravely stood up for themselves on the ship La Amistad. John Quincy Adams successfully defended them in court.
Henry Adams, a famous writer, wrote his nine-volume history book here. The book was called The History of the United States of America 1801–1817.
In 1996, some valuable books were taken from the library. The park's alarm system worked, and the people who took them left before police arrived. With help from the FBI, the books were found and returned safely to the park.
United First Parish Church
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This church is very close to the park's visitor center. Both presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams, and their wives are buried in a special crypt here. The church is not run by the National Park Service. It belongs to an active group of Unitarian Universalists. Over the past ten years, the church has spent a lot of its own money to keep the building in good condition. Volunteers from the church often give tours of the crypt. Many visitors to the park also like to visit this historic church.
Park History
- February 13, 1927 — Brooks Adams, the last family owner of Peacefield, passed away.
- December 9, 1946 — The Old House at Peacefield became the Adams Mansion National Historic Site.
- 1948 — Wilhelmina Harris, who used to be Brooks Adams' secretary, started working at the park.
- 1950 — Wilhelmina Harris became the park's first superintendent, or manager.
- November 26, 1952 — The site was renamed Adams National Historic Site. More land was added to it.
- December 19, 1960 — The birthplaces of both presidents were recognized as National Historic Landmarks.
- October 15, 1966 — The entire historic site was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- December 30, 1970 — The privately owned United First Parish Church also became a National Historic Landmark.
- November 2, 1998 — The historic site was renamed Adams National Historical Park, which is its name today.
See also
In Spanish: Parque Histórico Nacional Adams para niños
