RE-CREATION OF THE WEDDING DAY OF ABIGAIL SMITH AND JOHN ADAMS

  On October 25, 1764 in Weymouth, Massachusetts, Abigail Smith married John Adams and began a 54-year partnership that would bring them from Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts to Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.; London, England and Paris, France and home to Quincy. Two organizations were established 60 years ago to preserve historical information and educate future generations about the lives of Abigail and John Adams.  In honor of their 60th anniversaries, the Abigail Adams Historical Society and Adams National Historical Park, in collaboration with The First Church in Weymouth, will hold a re-creation of the wedding of Abigail Smith and John Adams. This unique event will be held on Thursday, October 25, 2007.  

The day will begin will begin at 10:00 a.m. as the bride leaves her home (the Abigail Smith Adams Birthplace at 180 Norton Street in North Weymouth) and travels by horse and carriage the short distance to The First Church, 17 Church Street, Weymouth. Students from Weymouth along with the public will line the route wishing Abigail and her wedding party well. At 11:00 a.m., Reverend William Smith will officiate at the marriage of his daughter Abigail to John Adams.  Following the ceremony they will travel to the John Quincy Adams Birthplace at 141 Franklin Street, Quincy.  There, the public is invited to join in a toast to the newlyweds at 1:00 p.m.  Light refreshments will be served.  Local, state, and federal officials have been invited to attend all these events.

Abigail Elias, a direct descendent of Abigail and John Adams, will portray Abigail Smith Adams; Michael LePage, a well known re-enactor, will portray John Adams.    The public is invited to wear 18th century costumes to the events.  

The Abigail Adams Historical Society and the Adams National Historical Park are pleased to sponsor this unique celebration which will be held in many of the locations where the events of 1764 took place.  

The doors will open at The First Church at 10:30 a.m. for seating which is first come, first served.  All events are free and open to the public. There is no rain date. Church Street in Weymouth will be closed during the wedding; parking is available at the Maria Weston Chapman Middle School, 1051 Commercial Street, Weymouth.  A shuttle bus will run from the School’s parking lot to the area near the Abigail Adams Birthplace and The First Church.  Street parking is available at the John Quincy Adams Birthplace in Quincy.

For further information  www.abigailadamsbirthplace.org or www.nps.gov/adam or call 781-335-4205.