Our First Education President ???

Sculpture of John Adams is located at City Hall Plaza.

 I think John Adams got it right when he said:

“Laws for the liberal education of youth, especially of the lower class of people, are so extremely wise and useful, that, to a humane and generous mind, no expense for this purpose would be thought extravagant.” -John Adams


With this quote in mind, I have to wonder if our elected city officials will finally find the resources in next year's budget to reinstate the K-8 school library program . . . Quincy children have been doing without this essential component of their education for three years!

"Atlas Of Independence"

Dedicated in 2001, this life-size bronze statue of John Adams designed by sculptor Lloyd Lillie, is located at City Hall Plaza which is in full bloom this spring weekend. Occasionally, when Boston's sports teams are vying for a championship, you will see John sporting the team's colors.

John Adams was a short man, but long on opinions and always thinking for himself. This earned him the nickname "Atlas of Independence."

Adams

The vaulted ceiling in the entryway of Boston Public Library's McKim building is covered with a marble mosaic. Adams is one of the thirty names of famous Bostonians lettered in the ceiling. The John Adams Presidential Library is located in this building. Boston and Quincy have always shared resources as good neighbors do.

1776

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The musical, 1776, was recently performed on the grass at the Adams National Historical Park. A player from the Randolph Theater Company is portraying John Adams seen here. 1776 relates the story of the contentious debate among our nation's founding fathers at the Second Continental Congress. This debate culminated in the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

Do you have any free "arts in the park" type events in your town during the summer months?

Thursday is "This Old House" Day

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President John Adams was born in 1735 and raised in this weathered New England "salt box" farmhouse on Franklin Street. He spent his young married life here with his wife, Abigail. This modest house also served as John Adam's law office, where along with Samuel Adams and James Bowdoin, he wrote the Massachusetts Constitution on which the U.S. Constitution was modeled.

Sunday is for Church

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Both Presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams, were lifetime members of the United First Parish Church shown here. Their tombs stand within a crypt in the church. I like returning to photograph this magnificent Greek Revival edifice, built of Quincy granite and designed by Alexander Parris.

Happy Independence Day!

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Pictured here are likenesses of John and Abigail Adams inside the gate at their farm that they called "The Old House at Peacefield" or better known today as "The Adams Mansion".

John Adams was one of this country's "Founding Fathers" who drafted and signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. What you may not know is that John Adams and his fellow founding father and rival, Thomas Jefferson, died on July 4, 1826, on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson died a few hours before Adams. John Adams was 90 years old when he died. Enjoy your weekend everyone!

John Adams and friends

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A night time shot of John Adams on City Hall Plaza. Cllck here for a summer version of this same shot.

John Adams

Statue of John Adams, second President of the U.S. in Quincy Center.