Remember the Ladies 250 Symposium: The Life and Legacy of Abigail Adams
Learn more about the life and legacy of Abigail Adams and her “Remember the Ladies” letter from scholars and public historians at the United First Parish Church, located at 1306 Hancock St., Quincy, MA 02169.
Among the speakers are Woody Holton, Ph.D., author of Abigail Adams: A Life, and Lauren Duval, Ph.D., author of The Home Front: Revolutionary Households, Military Occupation, and the Making of American Independence. Audrey Stuck-Girard will portray Abigail Adams during a special performance. Visit the Adams Crypt, Abigail Adams’s final resting place, during the symposium. The symposium is free to attend and does not require reservations.
Funded, in part, by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.
Revolutionary Farm at Penn's Hill
Become immersed in the world of Abigail Adams at the Adams Farm at Penn’s Hill at 141 Franklin St. in Quincy.
Revolutionary Farm at Penn's Hill Self-Guided Tours
Explore the Adams Farm at Penn’s Hill through self-guided tours of the John Adams and John Quincy Adams Birthplaces. Self-guided tours are free and do not require reservations.
An Extraordinary Code of Laws Performance
- Sunday, March 29 - 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m, 2:30 p.m
Step into Abigail Adams’s parlor as she pens her famous “Remember the Ladies” letter to John during special performances featuring Audrey Stuck-Girard as Abigail Adams. Reservations for these free performances will be available in advance at Recreation.gov and on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the event at the NPS Visitor Center.
Details about this performance:
An Extraordinary Code of Laws: Abigail Adams's hopes for a better America in 1776 - or - "If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.
In the early spring thaw of 1776, Abigail Adams sits alone in her humble Massachusetts home and takes advantage of a rare moment of peace by writing a letter to her husband, John. The trials of the past year have been earth-shattering; the devastating outbreak of war at their doorstep, rampant illness in the community, death in the family, and the longest separation of their marriage to date have all taken their toll. While nothing shy of the return of her partner would truly set her at ease, even anxious Mrs. Adams finds she is not immune to the optimism of spring, a sensation greatly amplified by the evacuation of the British army from Boston just the other week. Her mind wanders to Philadelphia, where her dearest friend makes impassioned arguments for American Independence. With the prospect of forging a new government rooted in natural rights and equality on the horizon, Abigail dares to imagine a nation that preserves the dignity, legal rights, and educational opportunities of each individual, regardless of their sex.
Audrey Stuck-Girard portrays this intimate moment in a one-woman show crafted from letters written by Abigail Adams to some of her closest confidants. This program has been created in collaboration with Adams National Historical Park in honor of the 250th anniversary of Mrs. Adams's appeal to "Remember the Ladies."
This performance will be approximately 30 minutes in length.
Life of Abigail Adams Trolley Tours
Hop on a park trolley to follow in Abigail Adams’s footsteps during a two-hour “Life of Abigail Adams” trolley tour. Tours will depart from the Adams National Historical Park Visitors Center at the following times:
The tours will include visits inside the Abigail Adams Birthplace, the Adams Farm at Penn’s Hill, and the Adams Crypt at the United First Parish Church. Reservations for these free trolley tours will be available in advance at Recreation.gov and on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the event at the park Visitor Center.
Additional Information
Visitor Center: The Adams National Historical Park Visitor Center will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, for this 250th anniversary event.
Location: The Adams National Historical Park Visitor Center is located at 1250 Hancock St., Quincy, MA. The address for United Parish Church is 1306 Hancock St., Quincy, MA 02169. The Adams Farm at Penn’s Hill is at 141 Franklin St. in Quincy.
Parking: Free, validated parking is available at the NPS Visitor Center through the Presidents Place parking garage at 44 Saville Avenue in Quincy, MA 02169.
Public Transit: The Quincy Center station is a short walk from the Visitor Center and United Parish Church. The Adams Farm is accessible by the MBTA Red Line via the Quincy Adams (0.5 miles) and Quincy Center stations (one mile).
Trolley Transportation: Free trolley service will be available March 29 for travel between the NPS Visitor Center and the Adams Farm at Penn’s Hill.
Bag Policy: Bags larger than 9" x 11" x 5" and luggage are not permitted in the historic homes. Be advised that the park does not have storage lockers for these items, and we recommend they be left in your vehicle or at your hotel. Bags may not be left unattended on park grounds. Anyone carrying a bag larger than 9" x 11" x 5" will not be permitted in the historic homes. Strollers are not permitted in the historic homes. Food, drinks (including water), and chewing gum are not permitted in the historic homes.
Accessibility: Motorized chairs and assistance vehicles are not permitted in the historic houses. The park provides non-motorized wheelchairs for loan. The John Adams and John Quincy Adams Birthplaces are not accessible by wheelchair. The park trolley is wheelchair accessible. For questions regarding accessibility, please contact the Visitor Center at 617-770-1175 or ADAM_Visitor_Center@nps.gov.
Restrooms: Public restrooms are available at the Visitor Center. There are no restroom facilities available in the historic buildings or on the trolley.
Weather: The historic buildings are not temperature controlled, so expect cold conditions in the winter and spring months. Attendees should be prepared for cold temperatures and dress appropriately for the weather.
Alerts and Updates: This event may be modified or cancelled due to inclement weather or unsafe conditions. Alerts and updates will be posted on the park website.
The Adams National Historical Park Visitor Center at 1250 Hancock St. in Quincy is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday during the winter season. The 2026 tour season will run from May 1 through October 31. For information regarding tours and programming, call the NPS Visitor Center at 617-770-1175 or visit the park website.
Join the National Park Service (NPS) at Adams National Historical Park June 26 through July 5 for a week of special programming and events to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the role of John and Abigail Adams in the founding of the nation.
Event Schedule
Friday, June 26
Slice of History, 6 p.m., Peace field Tent
Join Adams National Historical Park for a Slice of History, a night of pizza and rewatching the Y2K throwback Liberty’s Kids. This event is intended for audiences ages 18-30 but all are welcome! This free event will take place outdoors, so weather-appropriate clothing, blankets, lawn chairs, picnics and non-alcoholic beverages are encouraged. Pizza will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. This event is hosted in partnership with Made By Us and the Adams Presidential Center.
Saturday, June 27
The Adamses and the American Revolution, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Adams Farm at Penn's Hill
Visit the Adams Farm at Penn’s Hill (the John Adams and John Quincy Adams Birthplaces), 141 Adams St., Quincy, Mass., for ranger talks and special programs sharing the experiences of the Adams family during the American Revolution and their contributions to American independence.
Sunday, June 28
The Adamses and the American Revolution, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Adams Farm at Penn's Hill
Visit the Adams Farm at Penn’s Hill (the John Adams and John Quincy Adams Birthplaces), 141 Adams St., Quincy, Mass., for ranger talks and special programs sharing the experiences of the Adams family during the American Revolution and their contributions to American independence.
Jefferson & Adams, 4 p.m., Peace field Tent
Join Adams National Historical Park for a performance of Jefferson & Adams: A Stage Play by Howard Ginsberg. Witness a compelling dramatization of the friendship between John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Abigail Adams. Actors Bill Barker, Sam Goodyear, and Abigail Schumann bring to life the fifty-year relationship – often contentious, sometimes turbulent, and ultimately enduring – of this dynamic trio who hold forth on life, love, and loss in their now famous correspondence.
Tuesday, June 30
My Dearest Friend, 6 p.m., Peace field Tent
Join Adams National Historical Park for a performance of My Dearest Friend: A Play About John and Abigial Adams, written by Peter Manos. My Dearest Friend, both a civics lesson and love story, is about the American Revolution and the founding of the United States revealed through the rich, witty and passionate correspondence between Abigail and John Adams. They spent years apart, sometimes on separate continents, but stayed intensely in love for more than half a century. The Adamses are remembered today as two key architects of America’s enduring legacy: democracy, freedom, the rule of law and government by the people, responsible to the needs of the people. Their love story changed the world. Produced by special arrangement with the Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.
Wednesday, July 1
Stories of the American Revolution, Daytime, Peace field Tent
Learn more about the many stories of the American Revolution through ranger talks and special programs.
Quincy's Women on the Page, 6 p.m., Peace field Tent
Hear from bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, along with novelist Jodi Daynard, as they share their experiences bringing Quincy women, including Abigail Adams, to life through historical fiction. This event is hosted in collaboration with Historic New England's Quincy House and the National Parks Conservation Association.
Thursday, July 2
Independence Forever: The Continental Congress, Daytime, Peace field Tent
Become a delegate to the Second Continental Congress and re-enact the passage of the Declaration of Independence. This interactive and engaging event is an invitation to adults and children to take part in the debate about whether to remain loyal to the British crown or to create a new nation.
Adams NHP @ America's 250th: A Celebration of Freedom, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Hancock-Adams Common
Join Adams National Historical Park staff at the City of Quincy's America's 250th: A Celebration of Freedom event on the Hancock-Adams Common. Get the details at https://www.quincyma.gov/specialevents/a_patriotic_celebration.php.
Friday, July 3
John & Abigail Adams, Daytime, Peace field Tent
Hear from John and Abigail Adams as they share their experiences during the American Revolution at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Enjoy musical selections from The Conchords at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Saturday, July 4
Readings of the Declaration of Independence
Lend your voice to these live public readings of the Declaration of Independence 250 years after it was adopted. The 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. readings will be held at the Adams Farm at Penn’s Hill, the Adamses’ home during the American Revolution.
Sunday, July 5
Stories of the American Revolution, Daytime, Peace field Tent
Learn more about the many stories of the American Revolution through ranger talks and special programs.
Additional Information
These special programs and events are free to attend and do not require reservations. Unless otherwise noted, the NPS is hosting all Independence 250 events outdoors on the grounds of the Old House at Peace field, located at 135 Adams Street, Quincy, Mass. Visitors should park at the Visitor Center at 1250 Hancock Street, Quincy, Mass., and may walk or ride the park trolley 0.5 miles to Peace field. Limited accessible parking will be available at Peace field along Adams Street. The Visitor Center and the Old House at Peace field are accessible by the MBTA Red Line via the Quincy Center stations (0.5 miles). Visitors should leave ample time to travel between park sites.
