Today we visited the Adams National
Historical Park. They give guided tours
(travel by trolley) at three Adams's homes.
John Adams’ birthplace and John Quincy Adams’ birthplace are next door
to each other in their original spots on their original foundations. A short trolley ride from there and you
arrive at the “Old House” or Peacefield.
There are only 4 acres left and it’s right in the middle of town, but
you can picture the way it was. This is
a fascinating home because it was old when the Adams bought it and it was
occupied by several generations of their family. Specifically, family members who worked for the
public interest. It was given to the NPS
by the family in 1947. Therefore, there
are many original pieces still in this house. The home started out rather small. It was long, but not very wide. You can see the original size by looking at the brick portion. Abigail called it a wren's nest. They gradually added on until it became quite the estate.
We loved the stone library, built
by Charles Frances (John Quincy’s son).
They had such a large collection of books and their own writings,
letters and memoirs that they needed a separate building! And it’s fire proof. I also enjoyed the flower garden in front of
the library. The guide said that originally
they grew crops in the middle of the flowers where the lawn is now.
I already loved John Adams. I love how he loved his wife and his family
and America. He gave a lot of his life
to our country and the common good. It
was an honor to be in the home where he lived and to look into the room where he
spent his last moments.
Back to modern day...On the way back to camp we found a Whole Foods and had
a late lunch, next to an REI where Audra finally got some hiking shoes. She has patiently waited, but it was time.
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