Adams County Bicentennial lecture series kicks off Jan. 15 at JWCC

QUINCY — John Wood Community College (JWCC), in partnership with the Adams County Bicentennial Commission and the Quincy and Adams County Historical Society, invites the public to a special presentation titled “John Quincy Adams: The ‘Corrupt Bargain’ and the 1824 Presidential Election” on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the Mary Ellen Orr Auditorium on JWCC’s main campus at 1301 S. 48th.

The evening begins with a social at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 6:30 p.m. JWCC instructor of history and political science Steve Belko will present the lecture.

This is the first in a lecture series at JWCC as part of the Adams County Bicentennial celebration. Each program will highlight key moments and figures in Adams County history.

The “Corrupt Bargain” refers to the controversial outcome of the 1824 presidential election, one of the most disputed in U.S. history. The election had four major candidates — Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, William Crawford and Henry Clay.

Jackson received the most electoral and popular votes, no candidate achieved the required majority, sending the decision to the House of Representatives. Henry Clay’s support secured Adams’ victory, leading to allegations of a “corrupt bargain” when Adams later appointed Clay as his secretary of state. This event shaped political dynamics and fueled the rise of Jacksonian democracy, leaving a lasting imprint on the nation’s political landscape.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Adams County Bicentennial Commission at (217) 277-2150 or visit www.adamsco200.org.