Adams' Birthplaces & Salem Maritime

Our first stop this morning was Adams National Historical Park.

The trolley stops included the birthplace of John Adams, the birthplace of John Quincy Adams, and their home later in life, "Peace Field".

This house, built in 1681, was the birthplace of our second President, John Adams.

I was really bummed to find out that I would not be able to take pictures in any of the houses.

This home, built in 1663, is the birthplace of John Quincy Adams, our sixth president. The homes are right next-door to each other and are located in Quincy, Massachusetts. John Quincy Adams and Quincy, Massachusetts were both named after John Adams' wife Abigail Adams' father.

This is the old house at peace field where John Adams lived later in life and John Quincy Adams after him and his son and then grandson after them.

John Quincy Adams' son built this stone  library as a memorial to his father. Inside resides his book collection of over 8000 books. John Adams also had an extensive collection of over 3000 books which are at the Boston Public Library.

All along our trip we have taken the scenic byways rather than the regular interstates to get from here to there.

Coming to Salem felt a little risky since it is October and the town is known for witchcraft, which is odd considering the history here of the Salem witch trials.

Thankfully, other than some interesting activity going on in the cemetery, we didn't run into anything. We visited the cemetery because it is the spot where members of Nathaniel Bowditch's family are buried along with some other characters mentioned in the book Carry On Mr. Bowditch and it is the oldest cemetery in Salem with graves from 1637.

This is the historic custom house where taxes were collected when ships came in to Salem.

This wooden eagle used to sit atop the custom house but has been replaced by a longer-lasting fiberglass one.

At the visitor center, the kids got to dress up, tie a variety of knots that sailors would use, and learn more about the Maritime history of the city of Salem.

This is the Derby House directly overlooking the wharf. Not only does Elias Derby ("America's first millionaire") appear in Carry On Mr. Bowditch but also Captain John Derby, of Salem, sailed to England faster than an English ship carrying news of the beginning of the American Revolution and specifically the news that the British fired first. This same Captain Derby brought from France news that the Treaty of Paris had been signed ending the revolution... and this morning in the Adams home we saw a painting of the signers - bringing our day full circle. - so much history coming to life here!

Topping off our full day of fun, our hosts made us a traditional New England boiled dinner with corned beef and all the fixings! Yum!

We are so blessed.