“Let the human mind loose. It must be loose. It will be loose,” wrote John Adams to his son John Quincy Adams in a letter in November 1816.

Visitors to C.H. Booth Library before the end of this month now have the chance to follow the President’s lead and loosen their mind by visiting a display of Adams family memorabilia on the second floor of the library. The collection was recently donated to Newtown Historical Society last year. Its public exhibition was made possible in part by a grant from the Connecticut Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Arts.

The collection consists of 52 items, of which about a dozen are on display.

While records of our early patriots and leaders abound, it is rare that the public has an opportunity to glimpse their personal lives. The personal jewelry of the second President, unofficial gifts to the sixth President, even the President’s hair woven into a bracelet for a woman some consider this country’s most intellectual and thoughtful First Lady, Abigail Adams, all offer a chance to know these otherwise remote figures from the past as human beings rather than simply ancient portraits in a history text.

Town Historian Dan Cruson featured his annual lecture, presented at the library earlier this month, on the collection. The items had been passed down through generations until it came into the possession of descendant Abigail J. Kelly of Redding. With no heirs to whom she could pass on the relics, Ms Kelly gave the collection to her friend and neighbor, Charles Zilinek.

When he died, his son, Bill Zilinek, became the guardian of the precious collection. Newtown became the recipient, said Mr Cruson, when Bill Zilinek decided he wanted the artifacts to return “home” to the East Coast.

“He also wanted the collection maintained intact, and be somewhere that the pieces would be displayed occasionally,” Town Historan Dan Cruson told The Newtown Bee . Mr Zilinek reportedly felt Newtown Historical Society would do well by the Adams’ family antiquities, and Mr Cruson agreed to accept them.“Town Historian’s Annual Lecture Will Focus On Collection of Presidents John And John Quincy Adams”)(

Several of the pieces have great monetary value, Mr Cruson said, but it is the historical value that holds the most attraction.

“It’s a fabulous collection, and makes a connection to John Adams, a founding father. People exist in the pages of history books, but this kind of thing makes them real,” Mr Cruson also told The Bee. The personal items give the beholder a different perspective on a man, who while he served just one term, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and who moved the creation of a new democratic nation forward, Mr Cruson explained.

Of the hundreds of people who visit the library every day, many have taken advantage of examining the Adams material and then leaving such comments in a guestbook provided. Notes have included everything from “Fascinating! Especially the hair jewelry” and “I liked the [signet] rings, I thought they were cool” to “Great collection, thanks for sharing” and “Beautiful and historic artifacts.”

The exhibition can be seen any time the library is open: Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am-8 pm; Friday 11 am-5 pm; Saturday, 9:30 am-5 pm; and Sunday, 12-5 pm. The library, at 25 Main Street, can be reached at 203-426-4533; additional information is available at chboothlibrary.org.

For further information on the collection or Newtown Historical Society visit newtownhistory.org or call 203-426-5937.