Hardly a monument exists to our second president, John Adams, nor to his wife Abigail, or son John Quincy Adams, our 6th president. Why is a curious question – one seldom asked but worth asking.
Unlike George Washington, for whom John Adams served as vice president, Adams was not a war fighter, not quiet, tall, austere, or imposing.
Also, unlike Washington, he was a lawyer, had a Harvard pedigree, was a prolific reader, writer, and political force in areas from diplomacy to religious liberty. He was also, unlike many Founders, a New Englander.
A gentleman farmer like Washington and Jefferson, he was less collegial, sharp-elbowed, determined to do what he thought right, defending British soldiers accused in the “Boston Massacre” (found not guilty) and urging George Washington to use the title “His Excellency.” Washington refused.
A hard worker, John Adams took his vice presidential duties more seriously than most, attending all sessions regardless of vote, season, day, or debate.
He also wrestled with personal tragedies, loss of a daughter to breast cancer, loss of a son to alcoholism, and an array of personal challenges, which included nearly dying in France on a diplomatic mission, and likely depression.
Still, his fortitude and sense of personal, moral, and fiscal responsibility – his ability to also understand plainly that what they were doing was epic, a commitment to self-determination, to a republic of the kind never before formed, possibly to the greatest nation in history – was keen.
All this said, the odd thing is that – as we all know – there is a giant monument in Washington DC to George Washington (beyond naming the federal district for him), a memorial to Thomas Jefferson, Abrahman Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, statues to Madison, Lafayette, many others.
Yet to date, there has been no major memorial or monument for John Adams. True, he called the vice presidency “the most insignificant office,” lost his presidential reelection to Thomas Jefferson, wrote irreverent and humorous articles by the name “Humphry Ploughjogger,” and was not imposing.
That said, he was America’s first vice president and second president. He wrote the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, was the first president to live in the White House, was a clear moral leader often smeared in the press, loved America, and helped define our future. He died on July 4th, 1826.
Perhaps it is fitting then – at last – that Congress is moving forward on a monument – modest but meaningful, more “library-like” than imposing – to John and Abigail, and their son and 6th president, John Quincy Adams.
To be finished in 2032, the process has taken a while – but looks to be happening at last. Set in motion in 2001, the Commission came to life in 2019. Location will be near the White House, and cost will be covered by public and private funds. In this anniversary year, the Adams Memorial is coming!
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!
Around 2007 HBO put together a series called John Adams based on the book by the same name. It is well worth watching.
Let’s not forget that Thomas Jefferson also died on that same day. He and Adams became quite close in their later years.