Following the President’s Footsteps: John Adams

John Adams was elected the second President after serving two terms as Vice President under George Washington. He was also the first resident of the White House in Washington D.C. After one term in office, he returned to the family farm in Quincy, Massachusetts.

We are highlighting some of the places you can visit to get a better idea of John Adams as a teacher, attorney, husband, father, statesman, diplomat, U.S. President, and farmer.

The Early Years – Quincy, MA

John Adams was born on October 30, 1735, in a primitive saltbox house, located at 133 Franklin Street in Quincy, MA. John attended Harvard University at age 16 and later earned a master’s degree from Harvard. Before being admitted to the bar and opening a law office in Suffolk County, John was a teacher in Worcester, MA.

In 1761, John’s father passed away and he inherited a larger home on an adjacent property. The house would become John’s law office and home to the large family consisting of wife, Abigail, and their six children, including another future U.S. President, John Quincy Adams.

Today, you can visit both homes on a guided tour offered by the National Park Service from May 1 through October 31. Tours begin at the Adams National Park visitor center in the center of Quincy. We strongly recommend arriving at the visitor center early as tour groups are small and fill up quickly.

Adams National Historic Park
Visitor Center
1250 Hancock Street
Quincy, MA

John Adams – The American Patriot

Leading up to the Revolutionary War, John Adams spent a significant amount of time away from his family as a member of the Continental Congress, one of five committee members selected to draft the Declaration of Independence, and as Vice President and President of the United States.

The best place to get an understanding of John’s efforts and the historic significance these years had on the formation of the United States of America is Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia, PA. Independence Hall is where both the United States Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were discussed and adopted. Today, you can take a guided tour of the historic buildings and learn about the challenges, sticking points, and negotiations that took place prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Independence National Historic Park
Visitors Center
6th Street / Market Street
Philadelphia, PA

Presidential Years

President Adams was sworn in as the second President in Congress Hall, now part of Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia. Once you have visited Independence Hall, you can visit Congress Hall on a separate US Park Ranger guided tour.

During his term as US President, John Adams lived at the President’s House in Philadelphia before moving to the White House on November 1, 1800. Today you can visit an archeological exhibit on the grounds of the President’s House. White House tours of the East Wing and the Residence are available free of charge and can be scheduled through your congressional representative. Requests can be submitted up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance.

President’s Park (The White House)
Visitors Center
450 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20230

Back Home in Quincy

After his presidency, President Adams returned to Quincy, MA to the family farm. The home was purchased just prior to his serving as Vice President. John had to wait 12 years before enjoying life at the house at Peacefield, commonly known as “The Old House”.

Today your visit to Adams National Historic Park includes a guided tour of Peacefield and a brief stop in The Stone Library. Hear the stories about both President John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams, who moved into the house after John’s passing on July 4, 1826. Visit the study where John wrote but never finished his autobiography and corresponded with his close friend and third US President, Thomas Jefferson.

A visit to Adams Historic Park takes approximately three hours and includes all three houses. A trolley is used to transport the small tour groups to each of the houses. The tour of Peacefield takes approximately one hour and afterwards you will have time to walk through the gardens.

Adams National Historic Park
Visitor Center
1250 Hancock Street
Quincy, MA

Other Travels

John Adams lived to be over 90 years old and spent a majority of his life between Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Prior to becoming the Vice President, Adams spent a decade in Europe serving as the Commissioner to France and the Minister to Netherlands and England.

Check-it-Off Travel has a comprehensive database of places you can visit associated with the US Presidents, here are a few other places that might interest you as you walk in John Adams’ footsteps.

• Boston Massacre Site (Boston)
• Boston Tea Party Museum (Boston)
• Old State House (Boston)
• President’s House Site (Philadelphia)
• National Archives and Records Administration (Washington, DC)
• The John Adams Library at The Boston Public Library (Boston)
• USS Constitution Museum (Boston)
• Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)

Burial Site

Before leaving downtown Quincy, walk along Hancock Street to the United First Parish Church, also known as the Church of the Presidents. The family crypt is in the basement of the church, where you will find the final resting places for two American Presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams, along with their wives, Abigail Adams and Louisa Catherine Adams. It’s worth taking a tour of the church for a small donation and learning a little more about the family. At the very least, quietly find the family pew (marked by a small plaque).

United First Parish Church
306 Hancock Street
Quincy, MA