*NBL* History Alive! Abigail Adams

The year is 1801, shortly after her husband has lost the presidency to Thomas Jefferson. We’re visiting Abigail at Peace Field, their home in Quincy, Massachusetts.We welcome JoAnn F. Peterson, who will be portraying Abigail Adams as part of the West Virginia Humanities Council History Alive! Program. She also portrays Frances Perkins, the first female Cabinet Member, the woman behind the New Deal, and mother of Social Security for the Humanities Council and has been on their roster continuously for 18 years. JoAnn portrays 7 Amazing Women of History in all and is working on two more.A theater and film actor, JoAnn played the title role in the film, “A Promise to Astrid,” and Mother Abbess at West Virginia Public Theatre in “The Sound of Music.” She was filmed as Frances Perkins and Mary Lincoln for the White House Historical Association’s new museum called The People’s House, located at 1700 Pennsylvania Ave in Washington, DC. She also played the role of Mercy Otis Warren for an upcoming PBS documentary film and series called “The American Constitution.” Additionally, JoAnn has written a WV Civil War musical called “A Mother’s Heart Divided” which she performs with her husband, Tom.An eyewitness to the Revolution and active participant in our nation’s birth, Abigail Adams is well known for her advocacy of women's rights, especially in education, and her opposition to slavery. She was a valued confidante and advisor to her husband John Adams, the nation's second president.

MBCPL All Programs

Created by: Chanda Williams-Doles