Presidential wreath-laying ceremonies

51 Years of Honoring the Adams Presidents as a part of a national wreath-laying tradition
Twice each year the President of the United States sends a wreath to the  United First Parish Church to be placed on the tomb of the Adams Presidents. 

This national tradition started during the administration  of President Lyndon Johnson in 1967. Each year,  wreaths of red, white  and blue flowers are sent to the burial places of all deceased  presidents on the anniversary of their birthday.

The  United First Parish Church, Church of the Presidents is the proud keeper of this important annual recognition of our Presidential  heritage.  Admission  to the wreath-laying ceremony, the Adams Crypt and Church Sanctuary are  free. Donations to support the History and Visitors Program are greatly  appreciated.  

For more information about the ceremonies, please email visitorsprogram@ufpc.org or call 617-773-0062.  

The  History and Visitors Program at United First Parish Church, Church of  the Presidents is pleased to announce the annual Presidential  Wreath-Laying Ceremony for John Adams, Second President of the United  States of America, at noon on Tuesday October 30, 2018.  This year’s ceremony commemorates the 283rd birthday anniversary of President John Adams and the 51st anniversary of the presidential wreath-laying tradition at United First Parish Church, Church of the Presidents. Lieutenant Commander M. Taylor Brownlie, of the Navy Operational Support Center Quincy will serve as our President's official representative for the ceremony. 

Ceremony Speakers

Honorable Thomas Koch, Mayor of Quincy

Douglas Adams, direct descendant of John and Abigail Adams

Serena Krejci-Papa, Student, Quincy High School

Abigail Der, Student, North Quincy High School

Hailey Peckham, Student, The Woodward School.  

Featured Speaker: Sara Martin, Massachusetts Historical Society

The  featured speaker for this year’s ceremony will be Sara Martin.   Sara  Martin is the Editor in Chief of the Adams Papers editorial project at  the Massachusetts Historical Society. This year's ceremony falls just  two days after the 200th anniversary of the death of Abigail Adams.  Sara's talk will feature the words of John and Abigail Adams as she  explores the public and private sides of their 54 year-long  relationship. 

Music for the ceremony will be provided by United First Parish Church Musical  Director Noman Corey and the Quincy Choral Society. A reception including a birthday cake generously provided by Konditor Meister bakery in Braintree will take place in the church’s parish hall immediately  following the ceremony.