Presidential Sites: A Visit to the Adams National Historic Park Quincy, Mass.

I have been fascinated by the love story of John and Abigail Adams ever since I read the book Those Who Love by Irving Stone 40 years ago. I decided that I really had to visit the Adams National Historic Park in Quincy, Mass. 

John and Abigail Adams seem in many ways to be an odd pairing. John, well John was opinionated and difficult and a bit of a hypochondriac and Abby was outgoing and way too smart for a woman. Actually just how smart she was is proven by her marriage to John, who was perhaps the only man in Colonial America who was appreciative of her sound advice and financial expertise. 

No shrinking violet Abby, she used her very considerable skills as a businesswoman to keep her husband's interests from failing and to supply him with the funds he needed to survive in Europe during his several appointments there.

A visit to the Adams Historic site involves three houses that you get to visit. The first two are the birthplaces of John Adams and John Quincy Adams. They are the two oldest presidential birthplaces in the US. The first house was purchased by John Adams's father Deacon John Adams in 1720. Originally it had six acres of land and was a two over two construction. It is furnished with period pieces, but not original Adams pieces.

We begin the tour in Susanna Boylston Adams kitchen. They were not a wealthy family so Susanna would have done her own cooking over an open fire in the kitchen. In order to know how long to cook certain things they would sing a song or recite a verse the right length, pretty inventive I thought. John Adams wanted to be a farmer when he was young but his love of books won out and he attended Harvard and became a lawyer.

I was much more interested in John Quincy Adams birthplace. This is the house where Abby and John lived and had their children. But what really interested me was the parlor. It is the home of the original desk where Abby wrote all the wonderful letters to John, many of which have survived. 

While he was away on his lawyer circuit, while he was in Philadelphia, in Paris and London, their letters are one of the best historical records of the times, especially at the ground level. We get her view of events as they transpired. She watched the battle of Bunker Hill from a hillside in Quincy. She was always hungry for information about what is going on in negotiations wherever John was. We also get John’s view on some of the other great figures of the time. He was not a big Ben Franklin fan. It is a simple house by today’s standards and small, the Adams were always struggling to pay their bills.

The third house called Old House is a much larger house and it was here that the Adams came after John returned from England. It is built in the Southern style, and Abby had her uncle buy it while they were still in Europe. It was not nearly as well kept as Abby remembered, and required quite a lot to get it into shape. John Quincy Adams lived here until the end of his life and changed it from a farmhouse to a country estate. 

The last Adams family members to live here were the grandchildren of John Quincy. It is furnished with original Adams furniture and that alone makes the visit worthwhile.

You can also visit John Quincy’s library which is fabulous. John Adams had 4,000 books when he died, 3,000 were sent to the Boston Public library, John Quincy added an additional 12,000 books. It is now managed by the National Park Service and security is very tight. All three of the houses must be visited on tours that are conducted by the park service. 

In 2017 256,000 people toured the houses. Visits to the Adams National Historic Park the visitor center where a trolley provides transportation. The number of people is managed so you need to get your tickets early. The last trolley leaves the visitor center at 3 p.m. Allow 2 to 2 ½ hours to visit the three houses.  a carriage house that may be visited.

Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Brookline, Mass.

Located just one mile from the Boston Fine Arts Museum, The Holiday Inn Brookline is the perfect location, just outside the center city and easily accessible from the Mass. Turnpike. The hotel provides very good directions on their website. The T runs right up Beacon Street with a stop directly in front of the hotel. The hotel has its own parking garage, as these cost change frequently, check with them at the time you plan to visit.

I have to admit I had serious doubts after I booked this hotel for a ridiculously low price on one of the discount sites. Trip Advisor had some scathing reviews, which only deepened my doubt. Relax, this hotel is just fine and an excellent bargain to boot.

One of the complaints was about the smell of chlorine from the pool. We had room 189, which was located right next to the hot tub and adjacent to the pool. No problem whatsoever. Yes, you can smell chlorine when you walk by the pool, that is a good thing. In our room nothing. If you want to use them you call the front desk and it is then unlocked. I loved that because we had the hot tub all to ourselves.

Our room had a king size bed, very comfortable, and with feather pillows optional. It was a very good size room with a desk, chair, table, and good lighting. Everything was very clean and in good repair. I have not one disparaging thing to say. No, we didn’t have a view from our window (another Trip Advisor complaint) but there was a flower box to compensate. Do I wish they had a deeper tub, you bet but I can live with just taking a shower.

The small gym is located right behind the pool area, which you can access with your room key card. They had cardio and weight machines. 

You can choose to eat in the hotel, there are a restaurant and a lounge. We stopped at the lounge Saturday evening for a drink Our bartender was a charming Irishman who gave us good service but did fail to offer us a bowl of pretzels. Just as well, I suppose, since we shouldn’t be eating them anyway.

The breakfast buffet that the hotel offers is quite good and has an omelet bar. It offered a variety of cereal, bread, fruit, yogurt, bacon, and sausage, pancakes, and potatoes. Your waiter will deliver your juice and coffee.  

Overall I was very impressed with everything at the Holiday Inn Brookline and I have actually bought another visit. Where else could I stay for under $100?