John Quincy Adams Birthplace

John Quincy Adams Birthplace is a wooden saltbox structure featuring two main rooms per floor with a later lean-to section added to the design. The clapboard exterior and straightforward room layout show how prosperous colonial families of the 1600s built their homes in a practical yet substantial manner.

The house was built in 1663 by Samuel Belcher and purchased by Deacon John Adams in 1744, then inherited by his son John Adams in 1761. Ownership spanned three generations of the family that shaped early American history.

The house reflects the daily life of an influential colonial family at a turning point in American history. Abigail Adams managed the household and corresponded about matters of education and politics, showing how women shaped conversations during the founding era.

The National Park Service manages this site and offers guided tours as part of Adams National Historical Park, which includes several related family structures. Visitors should plan to join a tour in order to see the interior of the building.

Abigail Adams wrote letters from this house to her husband while managing the farm and educating their children during the Revolutionary War. Her correspondence shows she was a trusted adviser discussing matters of national importance with the future president.

Location: Quincy

GPS coordinates: 42.23905,-71.00347

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:54