Massachusetts
July 20th 2024
Kelly and I headed out of the Syracuse NY area around 5am for what I had expected was two full days of everything Massachusetts history. I had a total of 8 National Park attractions and a few additional stops for this trip. I had researched camping vs hotels and found a nice hotel central to everything for a fair price. (I didn't book it though)....any ways, we made it to our first stop in Springfield MA at the Springfield Armory.
Up next we headed to the town of Brookline MA, where we made a stop at Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
Before this visit, I had no idea whom Frederick Law Olmsted was. I am guessing many of you might not either. Well, Olmsted was best known as the father of Landscape architecture.
This location was once his home and office.(1883) Named Fairsted, the home functioned as the worlds first full scale professional functional landscaping architecture office.
Olmsted also was heavily involved in the conservation movement working on preservation of areas in Niagara Falls, NY States Adirondacks as well as having a hand in the support of the National Park system. His work aided in establishment of the level of excellence to the future of landscape architecture. The visit was interesting.
Located close to Olmstead home was another famous home and National Park site. John Fitzgerald Kennedy's National Historical Site. This was our next stop on the NP road trip.
Located within this Brookfield neighborhood is the home where our 35th president was born. The establishment of this site was actually in support of John's mother, Rose. In memory of her son, Rose restored the home to it's original 1917 appearance. The family resided within the home and it is the location where Kennedy was born up to his 10th year.
The site offers a small visitor center as well as a brief movie about The Kennedy family. There are several facts about Kennedy as well as his family in general, but instead of listing some of these as this was not part of what the visit entailed, I will simply state that it was an interesting tour of the families first home and added one more stamp for my National Parks book. My visits to the Kennedy Hyannis summer home area on Cape Cod offers much more information about the man who had become the president. So on to yet another NP visit. (Can you believe this is the third NP of the day so far.)
Up next, and perhaps the site we spent the most time at as we joined in with the tour is the Longfellow House. (additionally is Washington's headquarters, but there really is not much identified about when he had been here.)
Instead the Longfellow home is actually the preservation of the home which once served as George Washington's headquarters during the Siege of Boston(1775-1776) and was later the home of writer Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Longfellow resided in the home from 1843 until his death in 1882.
We joined the tour of the home and enjoyed the lovely furnishing, while becoming informed about Longfellow.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a poet and educator who is best known for his poem Paul Rever's Ride. His mother was a direct decendent of the Mayflower and part of the Plymouth Colony. He was one of eight children and began school at the age of three. By 13 he had his first poem published in the Portland Gazette. At the age of 15 he began "college" at Bowdoin in Maine, where he became friends with Nathaniel Hathorne. While in college he published 24 poems and was graduating commencement presenter.
Longfellow was hired as a professor of modern languages as well as acting as a translator under the condition that he travel to Europe to study French, Spanish and Italian. While in Europe, he learned the three listed as well as Portuguese and German, he also met influencer and encourager of his writings, Washington Irving. Upon his return he taught at Bowdin College, which he felt was very much beneith him and a position that he loathed.
Longfellow married his first wife, Mary Storer Potter in 1831 and accepted a position as a professor at Harvard to include at least a year abroad. He studied Swedish, Finish and Icelandic, Danish and Dutch. His wife unfortunately died days after a miscarriage of their first child at the age of 22. Her death inspired several of his written pieces.
Upon his return abroad, he rented a room at the current location presented and continued his employment at Harvard. He became interested and pursuded a relationship with a young Frances Appleton (Fanny). She did not accept his pursuit. He longed for her, and her denial lead to a period of depression and anxiety, leading to a six month leave of absence from his employment. It also inspired additional writings, including a play and his first works as an abolitionist in the writings Poems on Slavery. 
Fanny eventually agreed to marry Longfellow and her father purchased the current residence as a wedding present. He wrote many poems about his love for Fanny. They had 6 children, Longfellow's writings were creating a lavish income, he retired from his position as a professor to dedicate his time as a writer and he was a very happy man. Unfortunately on July 9th 1861, while he was napping, Fanny was using hot sealing wax when her dress suddenly caught fire. Although Longfellow attempted to put the fire out, she was burned signifigantly. (Although there is some question as to what had actually set the fire). Fanny died the follow day. Longfellow had also been badly burned. His facial burns were so bad, he wore a beard to cover the rest of his life. Longfellow was deeply saddened by Fanny's death and struggled with "madness" upon this loss, often concerned that he may be sent to an asylum.
He spent the remainder of his years writing and translating famous historical pieces including the woks of Michelangelo. He died after reporting a stomach ache in 1882.
A picture of three of his daughters. Our tour guide offered segments about his love for his children and the closeness of the family.
The day was getting close to an end, but I still had one more National Park I had hoped to get to. We were able to visit the Adams National Visitor center, but were unable to board the last home tour of the day as it was full. I did get my stamps and my unigrid as well as a magnet at the visitor center and we headed across the street to the Adams family burial and gardens.
The statue of John Handcock is located with the park with John and Abigail as Handcock was born here in Quincy (at the time Braintree, MA) and a symbol of the cities rich Revolutionary History.
We joined the tour of the home and enjoyed the lovely furnishing, while becoming informed about Longfellow.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a poet and educator who is best known for his poem Paul Rever's Ride. His mother was a direct decendent of the Mayflower and part of the Plymouth Colony. He was one of eight children and began school at the age of three. By 13 he had his first poem published in the Portland Gazette. At the age of 15 he began "college" at Bowdoin in Maine, where he became friends with Nathaniel Hathorne. While in college he published 24 poems and was graduating commencement presenter.
Longfellow married his first wife, Mary Storer Potter in 1831 and accepted a position as a professor at Harvard to include at least a year abroad. He studied Swedish, Finish and Icelandic, Danish and Dutch. His wife unfortunately died days after a miscarriage of their first child at the age of 22. Her death inspired several of his written pieces.
He spent the remainder of his years writing and translating famous historical pieces including the woks of Michelangelo. He died after reporting a stomach ache in 1882.
The day was getting close to an end, but I still had one more National Park I had hoped to get to. We were able to visit the Adams National Visitor center, but were unable to board the last home tour of the day as it was full. I did get my stamps and my unigrid as well as a magnet at the visitor center and we headed across the street to the Adams family burial and gardens.
Below is a picture of the Adams family home that we were unable to enter as we missed the last tour of the day. Old House was the home of four generations of Adams. John and Abigail, John Quincy and his wife Louisa, Charles and another Abigail and eventually Brooks and his wife Evelyn. 
John and Abigail purchased the home in 1788. The family continued to reside on the property while adding additions over a period of 139 years between 1788-1927.
Although we missed the house tour, I was grateful to see the church, the gardens and the burial grounds of this prominent family.
The United First Parish Church was built by John Adams in 1826 and is now known as the Church of the Presidents and a historic Unitarian Universalistic church that was established in 1828. The building served as a church and acted as a town meeting hall. Adams donated the stone and the funds to create the "temple" as a permanent community structure.
At the time, (and this is coming from my memory only), Adams, recognized the need for a spiritual space and a meeting location for the local community; Quincy MA as the commute to Boston via horse and carriage was taxing on the population. The 10 mile trip typically took 1-2 hours.
The Adams family worshiped here for eight generations and their family pew is still occupied at #54. The shift to Unitarian was much supported by the Adams family.
The paying for pew space was common for the time, as it was a means for the parishioners to assist in the taxes. John Quincy Adams purchased #54 for the Adams family shortly after his fathers death.
The Church itself is fairly plain in is ornamental design, which is reflective of the Universalistic belief system that is considered a non-creedal religion that seeks truth and social justice rather then the diverse religious traditions. I was raised Unitarian interestingly enough and I was unaware that the belief system held in these earlier times and especially a belief of a founding father. The Unitarian Universalistic is
1- No Creed, you can believe what ever you want.
2. Diversity, belief is from wisdom, science and personal experience is important.
3. Theological root in the name, Unitarian (one God) Universalistic (universal salvation) all are equal and based on a human and social actions.
4. A flaming chalice, the symbol of light and truth
5. Services include hymns and sermons but often focus on social issues
6. Inclusivity, acts as advocates of LBGTQIA+, reproductive rights. environmental justice.
7. Identity. humanistic, agnostic or even atheist.
It is in the basement of this building that holds most visitors interest. Below is the crypt of two of our historical presidents and their wives. John Adams and Abigail and John Quincy Adams and Lousia.
And we had this amazing although long winded, yet that may have more to do with his passion for the subject, tour guide who explained about the Adams family and the building of the church structure.
This was unexpected, but an interesting part of our tour of the National Parks. I had no idea that these two presidential men and their wives were buried with in church basement, especially a Unitarian basement. Touring of the home apparently has been a destination of others for years below is a sign from years ago. Our admission price was free although they did ask for a donation. I left much more then a nickel.
Some other artifacts to examine.
(families death documentation I believe)
John Adams was the 2nd president of the United States and the first vice president. He served as president from 1797-1801
Adams was an attorney prior to his political career. He defended many of those who were charged in the Boston Massacre and was a strong advocate during the Revolutionary war. He and rival Thomas Jefferson (friendship was sour because of their different political views, but a friendship was made later in life, the two share a death date of July 4th 1826) drafted the Declaration of Independence and he was the primary author of the Massachusetts Constitution which influenced the United States Constitution. Adams has a long and interesting history including his longing to be a farmer but urged by his Minister father to stay in school. He attended Harvard and taught at Worcester for a short period. His father had thought he may also become a minister, but he longed to be a lawyer. Adams was 19 when the French and Indian War began, and at that time, he longed to be a soldier and expressed intense guilt over his lack of military engagement, wising he was not a lawyer. Adams seems to have many ambitions over his lifetime, including his love interest.
Adams had been "in love" with Hannah Quincy and intended to ask for her hand, but the moment was lost. He met Abigail when she was 15. She like many of these presidents was his 3d cousin. He initially disliked the girl, but with time, they eventually married in 1764. The couple had six children, three boys and three girls, the 2nd oldest to include John Quincy.
Abigail had marked her own name in history as she was often considered as Adams confident during his time as president. Her many letters have shown that he would ask for her thoughts about the current conflicts and seek her advice on matters. She was so politically active that the opposition called her Mrs. President, and she was known to "drop" favorable stories about her husband to the press. She was the first lady to reside in the then called Presidents house and was known to hang the clean laundry in the East room of the wing. She has continued to be ranked as one of the most highly regarded 1st ladies of the presidency in American History.
I suppose I should mention that Abigail and Barbara Bush were the only first ladies to also have a son who was president, and he should be at least noted here.
John Quincy Adams was the 6th president, however, he was considered to have stolen the election against Andrew Jackson in 1824. He basically won be default, making him an unpopular president from day one. Although he was perhaps one of the most qualified presidents of our history he failed due to a rebellious Jackson supported congress. Basically, Congress blocked all of his ideas. He is known for his ideas about infrastructure proposing the build of roads, the Erie Canal, scientific study labs, and National Universities. He was not re-elected for a 2nd term, defeated by Jackson in 1828. However, he was elected to the House of Representative and spoke out against slavery for 17 years at this political level afterwards.
Our last tour was of the cemetery. This resting place houses many of the Adams family as well as the Handcock's.
The day was coming to an end, and even the parks were closing soon. I had hoped to stay at the hotel that I had previously looked into, but had not booked. Unfortunately, the price was now 2x more then when I had last looked, additionally there were limited rooms available elsewhere. We ended up driving all the way back home (several hours) angry, tired and disappointed. I guess there will have to be a Massachusetts National Park road trip part II. Until then TTFN.
The day was coming to an end, and even the parks were closing soon. I had hoped to stay at the hotel that I had previously looked into, but had not booked. Unfortunately, the price was now 2x more then when I had last looked, additionally there were limited rooms available elsewhere. We ended up driving all the way back home (several hours) angry, tired and disappointed. I guess there will have to be a Massachusetts National Park road trip part II. Until then TTFN.
