Westford REV 250: “In the Spirit of Friendship: John Adams and Mercy Otis Warren”

Step back in time and converse with two of the Revolution’s most influential writers: John Adams and Mercy Otis Warren! Through a combination of first-person narratives and actual primary source documents, Mercy and John will share how their friendship developed, grew, fractured, and ultimately healed through their correspondence.

In 1805, Warren published the first history of the American Revolution in the United States. She crafted this work by researching original documents and manuscripts, interviewing key participants, and drawing from her experiences during that tumultuous time.

However, this endeavor led to a significant rift between Warren and Adams. Adams was unhappy with how he was portrayed in her account and bombarded her with a series of angry letters. Ultimately he disowned her as a friend. Warren accused Adams of forgetting “the principles of the American Revolution.” Then after several years and a heated exchange of letters, they reconciled in 1812.

Mercy Otis Warren and John Adams

Join us for a lively debate between Mercy Otis Warren (portrayed by Michele Gabrielson) and John Adams (played by Michael LePage). They discuss Warren’s account of the American Revolution, published in her landmark three-volume history.

Mercy Otis Warren by John Singleton Copley. Courtesy Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

About the Speakers:

Michele Gabrielson, M.Ed., is a professional historian, public school educator and historical interpreter of the 18th century. She serves on several historic committees and as secretary for the recently formed nonprofit, The Mercy Otis Warren Society. The Massachusetts History Alliance awarded her a 2024 Rising Star Award for Public History for her programming titled “The Revolutionary Classroom.” She was also named a 2024 Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year finalist. And Michele recently received the Massachusetts Daughters of the American Revolution’s Outstanding History Teacher of the Year award for 2025.

Michael Lepage has been bringing characters from American history to life since 1992. Aside from Paul Revere, LePage appears as  John Adams, Samuel Adams, Dr. Joseph Warren and Gen. Thomas Gage. He is well known for his appearances at the Paul Revere House, Adams National Historical Park and the Minuteman National Park

Hosted by the Westford Museum and Historical Society and League of Women Voters of Westford

“In the Spirit of Friendship: John Adams and Mercy Otis Warren” is sponsored by Edward M. Connolly Insurance Agency, 7 Lincoln Street, on the historic Westford Common.

Massachusetts 250

In 2025 and 2026, Massachusetts 250 commemorates the many battles across the state that led to America’s independence. Experience the birthplace of American Liberty, where history was made, and the future was forged. In Massachusetts, we are embracing our history, the untold and little-known stories. We are celebrating our independence and innovations from the past 250 years. Join us – from the hills of the Berkshires to the Blackstone Valley and from the North and South Shore to the Cape and the islands – as we commemorate big events and untold stories and celebrate the revolutions still to come.

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Learn more Revolutionary history in this complete guide to Revolutionary War sites in New England. Brought to you by the New England Historical Society. Click here to order your copy in paperback, here to order an ebook.