Remember Abigail

Celebrate the Life & Legacy of Abigail Adams 2018-2019

Remember Abigail

Remember Abigail: A Yearlong Celebration

Abigail Adams captured the hearts of succeeding generations when she urged her husband to “Remember the Ladies.” This private comment is one of Abigail’s enduring legacies, making there no better way to frame a yearlong celebration of her life and legacy.

From October 2018 to November 2019, the Massachusetts Historical Society and a group of partner organizations will offer engaging programs and educational opportunities to commemorate Abigail Adams. Join the celebration! Attend events throughout the year, and post your reflections on Abigail on social media using #RememberAbigail.

Collaborative and independent programming will take place in Boston, southeastern Massachusetts, and online. Look for events marked “Remember Abigail.” This website will be updated throughout the year. Check out the Calendar of Events for more information.

About Abigail 

Abigail Adams was the first First Lady to reside in the White House and second First Lady in American history. She was one of two women who were both the First Lady and the mother of a U.S. president. She urged her husband to “Remember the Ladies” and made herself impossible to forget.

Born Abigail Smith on November 11, 1744, she was the daughter of Elizabeth Quincy and Rev. William Smith, a Congregational minister from Weymouth, Massachusetts. In 1764 Abigail married John Adams, a lawyer from nearby Braintree who would later help draft the Declaration of Independence and play an integral role in shaping the early American republic. Abigail shared John’s devotion to public service and instilled that commitment in their children, most notably in her eldest son, John Quincy Adams. During her husband’s protracted absences, Abigail took charge of the family’s properties and oversaw the children’s early educations. She was an avid reader and took a keen interest in civic and political issues of the time. When she joined her husband in the courts of Europe or the seat of national government, she became an active participant in John’s public career.

Abigail Reading List

The World of Abigail Adams

The World of Abigail Adams is a proposed educational film that will explore ideas of gender, citizenship, and civic responsibility in the early republic through the lens of Abigail’s private and public experiences. Moving from the Revolution through her time as First Lady, the film will showcase Abigail’s voluminous writings. Intended for students in grades 8 through 12, the film will be 15–20 minutes in length, broken into shorter teaching segments. The content will be developed in collaboration with secondary educators and designed to meet current curriculum standards. It will be made available free of charge along with accompanying curricular material.

Join Us

Join the celebration by attending an event and posting your reflections on Abigail on social media using #RememberAbigail.

Are you a cultural institution with related programming? Email RememberAbigail @masshist.org to be added to the online calendar.

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