John Adams Unbound

The Minerva (Ohio) Public Library is hosting the “ John Adams Unbound” traveling exhibition from March 24–May 6. The opening reception will include two programs. “John Adams, His Books” presented by Leslie Heaphy, Associate Professor of History, Kent State University Stark Campus, will discuss Adams’ deep love of the written word and the value he placed on books as a means of self-education. Heaphy’s talk will expore some titles from Adams’ vast library that highlight his many and varied interests and demonstrate how his view and opinions developed and changed over his long life. “John Adams, Shakespeare, and Bugs Bunny:High Culture and Popular Culture in Adams’ America” will be presented by Jay Case, Assistant Professor of History, Malone University. As a dedicated reader of classical literature, John Adams envisioned an American society in which it leaders would be shaped by a classical education. Ironically, the Revolution that Adams helped to lead democratized politics and culture in a way that undermined this vision.

Additional programs to be offerered during the exhibition’s run include “John Adams and the Boston Massacre” presented by Leslie Heaphy; “Fascinating Controversies: John Adams and Religious Diversity in America” presented by Jay Case; “‘An Ample and Well-Chosen Assortment of Books’: Book Collecting for Beginners” presented by Frank and Andrea Klein from the The Bookseller, Inc. in Akron; “Founding Friends: The Unique Relationship between John Adams, Abigail Adams, and Thomas Jefferson” presented by Kelly Selby, Assistant Professor of History, Walsh University; and “A Visit with Abigail Adams” portrayed by Anne McEvoy from Women In History.