HSQAC to celebrate life of John Quincy Adams through variety of presentations on July 19

QUINCY — The Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County will host a celebration of John Quincy Adams on Saturday, July 19, at The Armory, 416 Jersey. Presentations are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and the public is invited to attend the bicentennial event free of charge.

The day salutes the founding of the city and county and honors the country’s sixth president for whom Quincy and Adams County are named. The celebration will feature a living historian portraying Adams’ father and a number of speakers of national prominence who will reveal some surprising details about early Adams County; John Q. Adams; his wife, Louisa Adams; and his father, John Adams. John Q. Adams’ feud with Andrew Jackson during the election of 1828, one of the most contentious and transformative elections in American history, will be discussed in depth.

A “Meet and Greet the Historians” session will be held following the program which will allow small group interactions with the speakers as well as book signings.

Speakers will be:

author Jeffrey Denman, who will speak on Adams as the “reluctant abolitionist”;

historian C. James Taylor, who will discuss First Lady Louisa Adams;

professor Steve Belko, who will offer a lecture on The Birth of Adams County; and

scholar Mark Cheathem, who will review the John Quincy Adams-Andrew Jackson rivalry.

Brian Fox Ellis, a living historian, will portray John Quincy Adams’ father, John Adams, and reflect on his son’s life and influence.

J’J’s Catering of Quincy will prepare a light lunch which will feature some of John Quincy Adams’ favorites. Lunch will be provided to event participants free of charge, beginning at 12:15 p.m. Music will be provided throughout the day by the musicians from Javaux Music School.

Reservations may be made through the Historical Society’s Office at 217-222-1835 or the HSQAC website at hsqac.org.