​First Lady Abigail Adams to Speak at Chautauqua
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.
 
 

Mount Vernon – Ever wonder what became of Mary Todd Lincoln after her husband was murdered and she was asked to leave the White House? How does one cope with the death of a husband who was sitting next to you when he was shot? Or handle the death of a kid to illness? Add to that, having a country who believed she was a Southern sympathizer because of her own family ties? On Thursday, June 16, at ThePlace@TheWoodward (120 S. Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon), Barbara Brugler will bring us to the little known world of Mary Todd Lincoln and share with us what the woman actually was. Barbara is making her second appearance in Mount Vernon, having shared the stage 2 years ago with President Lincoln, portrayed by her real life husband, Robert Brugler.
 
The Chautauqua Series, organized and brought to you by the members of Elixir and supported in part by the Ariel Foundation, is the only year round Chautauqua Series in the United States according to the Ohio Humanities Council. The series is also brought to you on a donation basis, so you already have your ticket. The series presents first person living history programs with opening acts to create the atmosphere of the era. Speaking of openers, this program has the return on Elixir, the not quite right folk-grass group.
 
The doors will open for this donation based program, at 6 PM, with Elixir at 7 PM and Mary Todd Lincoln at approximately 7:45 and the first lady will entertain questions immediately following her presentation. This month is first ladies month, coming June 30, just in time for the 4th of July we will meet Abigail Adams portrayed by Raylene Hlavaty.
 
For more information on this and upcoming programs visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-6102. To receive a “gentle reminder” email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.