In January, Newtown Historical Society announced the acquisition of a collection of personal mementos belonging to Presidents John and John Quincy Adams.newtownhistory.org.

On Monday, May 9, at 7:30 pm, the society, in conjunction with C.H. Booth Library, will offer the program "Tea with Abigail Adams." The free presentation will be offered in the community room of the library, 25 Main Street.

Tea will be served, along with light refreshments. Those planning to attend are invited to bring their favorite cup. The library has a china set that will be available for use, but supplies are limited,.

Carol Bielefeld will portray Abigail Adams, who John Adams referred to as Miss Adorable in their voluminous correspondence.

John's political and diplomatic duties often separated the devoted pair, and Abigail was left at home to manage the family farm, raise their children and supervise their education, run a business, buy land, and invest the family's money. She described all this and much more of life at home in more than 1,600 letters to John, wherever his civic duties might take him.

Good wives and mothers of the new republic were expected to begin the education of their children, and ensure that it continued in a way that would produce the next generation of male leaders, even while their own role was officially limited to household duties.

Perhaps Abigail's best known comment on the situation of women was her stricture to John to "Remember the Ladies" when he was involved in deliberations to establish the norms of the new nation. The future President was sympathetic, but didn't feel the times would permit a formal establishment of women's place in the new society, so Abigail, and many other women, were left to establish their places on their own. Certainly Abigail - future First Lady and mother of the sixth President - had no trouble in doing exactly that.

The setting for the May 9 tea will be the Adams' home in Quincy, Mass., in 1801, shortly after John had lost his bid for reelection to a second term. Friends and neighbors have gathered to welcome the couple back from Presidential duties, and to hear stories and tales of life in the capital and the Executive Mansion.

Carol Bielefeld became enamored with Abigail Adams after reading several biographies of her. Ms Bielefeld says she "was compelled, somehow, to write a presentation to showcase this remarkable woman."

Ms Bielefeld has taken the presentation to libraries, historical societies, and church groups in her quest to spread awareness of one of the most thoughtful and capable women in our history.

Newtown Historical Society programs are free and open to the public. In addition to hot tea, cold beverages and refreshments will be served Monday evening. A short business meeting will take place before the presentation.

Reservations are not needed but additional information is available by calling 203-426-5937 or visiting