John Quincy Adams Birthplace facts for kids
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John Quincy Adams Birthplace
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Rear view of the birthplace of President John Quincy Adams, Quincy, Massachusetts.
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 141 Franklin Street, Quincy, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1716 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000128 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 19, 1960 |
The John Quincy Adams Birthplace is a special old house in Quincy, Massachusetts. It's where John Quincy Adams, who became the sixth President of the United States, was born in 1767. This house is a type called a saltbox home, which has a unique shape like an old-fashioned salt container.
John Quincy Adams's family lived here when his father, John Adams, was helping to create the United States. John Adams was one of the important leaders known as the Founding Fathers. He worked on the Declaration of Independence and during the American Revolutionary War.
What's really cool is that John Adams's own birthplace is super close, only about 23 meters (75 feet) away, on the same property! Both of these houses are now recognized as National Historic Landmarks. This means they are very important places in American history. They are part of the Adams National Historical Park, which is looked after by the National Park Service.
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The Story of the Adams Family Home
This historic house was built way back in 1717. It's made of wood and has two and a half stories. It has a central chimney and rooms on both sides on each floor. Later, a "lean-to" section was added to the back, which gave it more rooms.
In 1744, a man named Deacon John Adams bought the house. He was the father of the future President John Adams. He probably made the house bigger by adding more rooms. In 1761, he gave the house to his son, John Adams, who would later become the second President of the United States.
John Adams moved into the house in 1764. Around that time, the lean-to part was added, and the doors got special decorations. This was the home where John Adams and his wife, Abigail Adams, started their family.
Life in the Birthplace Home
John and Abigail Adams lived in this house until 1783. During these years, they raised their children, including John Quincy Adams. This home was a busy place, filled with discussions about freedom and the new country.
After 1783, the Adams family rented the house to other people. Later, in 1803, John Quincy Adams bought both his birthplace and his father's nearby birthplace. He lived in this house himself from 1805 to 1807.
The houses continued to be rented out until 1885. In 1895, Charles Francis Adams, Jr., a descendant of the family, allowed the Quincy Historical Society to use the house as their main office. The City of Quincy bought the house in 1940, but the Historical Society continued to use it.
A National Treasure: The Adams Birthplaces
On December 19, 1960, the John Quincy Adams Birthplace was officially named a National Historic Landmark. This important title means the house is recognized for its significant role in American history. The area around it, including both the John Quincy Adams and John Adams birthplaces, is now part of the Adams National Historical Park. The National Park Service takes care of these homes so everyone can visit and learn about them.
There are other interesting places nearby too! John Adams's later, larger home, called Peacefield, is just a few miles away. You can also visit the graves of both presidents and their wives at the United First Parish Church.
Another cool spot is the Abigail Adams Cairn. This is a pile of stones on a nearby hill. From this hill, Abigail Adams and her 7-year-old son, John Quincy Adams, watched the famous Battle of Bunker Hill and saw the town of Charlestown burning during the Revolutionary War. All these places are open for you to explore!
See also
