Author and Historian Lindsay M. Chervinsky Joins the Museum on October 16 to Reflect on John Adams’ Presidency

Discussion of Chervinsky’s latest book, Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic, is part of the 2024-2025 Read the Revolution Speaker Series

The Museum welcomes author and historian of presidential history and legacies Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky for the first installment of the 2024-2025 Read the Revolution Speaker Series on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Chervinsky, who is Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, will give a hybrid lecture and discussion on presidential history inspired by her latest book, Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic (Oxford University Press, 2024).

In Making the Presidency, Chervinsky recounts the historical circumstances surrounding the 1796 presidential election and how Americans were unsure if the presidency could succeed without George Washington’s leadership. By March 1797, Washington retired from office and his two-term vice president, John Adams, was elected the second leader of a fledgling nation. Despite unprecedented challenges, he navigated the growing potential for conflict with Britain and France as well as intense partisan divides, debates over citizenship, fears of political violence, and in-fighting within his own cabinet.

On the eve of another unprecedented election, Chervinsky invites us to revisit Adams’ life and legacy as the president who established the democratic value of the peaceful transfer of power and ensured the survival of the American republic.

This special program will be held in the Museum’s Liberty Hall and will be broadcast live online for ticketed guests. Following Chervinsky’s short presentation, Museum President and CEO Dr. R. Scott Stephenson will join her in conversation and facilitate a live Q&A with both onsite and online audiences.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for onsite guests to see a featured artifact display from the Museum collection, enjoy refreshments at a cash bar, and purchase signed copies of the featured book. Onsite tickets for this event include Zoom access and are $20 for general admission and $15 for Museum Members. Online-only tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for Museum Members. Tickets can be purchased here.

The Museum’s Read the Revolution Speaker Series brings celebrated authors and historians to the Museum for lively discussions of their work. Now in its eighth season, the series is based on the Museum’s national Read the Revolution bi-monthly e-newsletters, which feature excerpts from thought-provoking books to inspire learning about the American Revolution.

About Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky

Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky is a historian of the presidency, political culture, and U.S. government institutions. She is the Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library and a Senior Fellow at the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University. Previously, she was a historian at the White House Historical Association and a fellow at the Kluge Center at the Library of Congress. Chervinsky is the author of the award-winning The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution and the co-editor of Mourning the Presidents: Loss and Legacy in American Culture. She has been published in the Washington Post, TIME, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and many others; she is a regular resource for outlets like CBS News, CNN, The BBC, and the New York Times.

About Museum of the American Revolution

The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.