Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents that Forged the Republic

Concord Museum Forum

Wednesday, October 2 | 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Free for Members | $10 Non-Members | Free Virtual

Renowned presidential historian and Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky, joins us for a conversation on John Adams’ five year-battle to defend the presidency. 1797 wasn’t too different from 2024, with pandemics, battles over immigration and citizenship, legislation to limit free speech, foreign interference in national elections, and contested election results. Dr. Chervinsky’s new book Making the Presidency is the authoritative account of the second president that shows how John Adams’ leadership and legacy defined the office and ensured the survival of the American republic. The ideas and legacy of John Adams’ presidency are ever resonant amid this pivotal election year.

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Concord Museum will offer ongoing opportunities to gather as a community, reflect on the founding of our nation, and engage with the significance of our shared past for our present moment. Highlights will include three new special exhibitions, a special speaker series, a published catalog, and expanded educational resources. Together, these initiatives will showcase the incredible stories behind the eyewitness objects held at the Museum to illuminate the many different ways people experienced, shaped, and remembered the Revolution.