MOUNT VERNON - When John Adams went to Philadelphia in 1774 to serve as his colony's delegate to the First Continental Congress, Abigail Adams remained home. The separation prompted the start of a lifelong correspondence between them, forming not only a rich archive that reflected the evolution of a marriage of the Revolutionary and Federal eras, but a chronology of the public issues debated and confronted by the new nation's leaders. The letters reflect not only Abigail Adams' reactive advice to the political contentions and questions that John posed to her, but also her own observant reporting of New England newspapers' and citizens' response to legislation and news events of the American Revolution. During the writing of the Declaration of Independence Abigail reminded John, “remember the ladies and be more generous and more favorable to them than your ancestors.” Abigail was a woman far ahead of her time in making her views known and expressed to her husband, the second President of the United States.
To conclude a month featuring 2 First Ladies and just before the celebration of our country’s birthday, the Chautauqua Series is extremely excited to present Raylene Hlavaty portraying Abigail Adams at ThePlace@TheWoodward [120 S. Main Street in downtown historic Mount Vernon] on Thursday June 30 at 7 PM. Opening for Raylene will be Pocketful o’Gimmick presenting music of the era and frequent guest at the Chautauqua Series.
The Series is supported in part by a grant from the Ariel Foundation and is presented on a donation basis for all those who wish to enjoy and learn about real people giving you more about the true person than what you learn in the history books. These programs are living history presentations, entertaining, family friendly and a good way to socialize with your friends and neighbors.
Doors open at this first floor facility at 6 PM and the program starts at 7 PM. For more information on this program and other upcoming programs visit www.elixirpresents.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-6102. In case of any schedule changes we suggest you review the sites listed for any changes. For a friendly email reminder on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com to be included.