MONROE - Abigail Adams, wife of the second president of the United States, was a fascinating woman who loved to gossip with friends and write letters.
Jessica Michna, Racine, provided guests at the Behring Senior Center a glimpse Tuesday into the life of one of the most well-known first ladies in history.
Michna was able to draw from hundreds of letters Abigail Adams wrote to John Adams and friends to portray the everyday life of the first lady and the challenges she faced during the difficult and dangerous days of the Revolution to the conclusion of her husband's presidency in 1800.
"She lived with history every day," Michna said of Mrs. Adams.
Michna has appeared before historical societies, schools, senior centers, church groups and Civil War roundtables. In addition to Abigail Adams, she performs one-woman plays as Mary Todd Lincoln and Eleanor Roosevelt. In all of her portrayals she takes pride in her knowledge of the character's life and dresses for the roles in period costumes.
Abigail Adams was an independent woman who, unlike many of her contemporaries, learned to read and write at an early age. It was the wish of her father, Michna said, that all of his children receive an education.
It benefited Abigail Adams, and her country, in later years as she corresponded with her husband while he was away from their home in Massachusetts either in Congress, in Europe or in Philadelphia serving as vice president.
"Adams depended on her greatly," Michna said. "She was a very competent woman."
Abigail Adams stayed at home "running the farm, keeping the books and educating" her children while her husband was away, Michna said.
Like her husband, she sacrificed during the early days of the Revolution.
She and her husband lost one child, who was stillborn, while he was in Congress. She wrote her husband that she was sorry he would never see the baby smile or grow to adulthood.
She and her children witnessed the battle of Bunker Hill from their home and she knew that there were personal dangers to be faced if the colonies lost their bid for independence. If the colonies lost the war, John Adams would be hanged for treason and she and her children would be transported out of the country as prisoners.
Yet, she persevered because she also believed in the cause of independence.
She and her husband were the first president and first lady to live in the Executive Mansion, the name of the White House when it was first built in 1799. She talked about how the plaster on the walls was still wet when she and John Adams moved in.
"We had to keep all 13 fireplaces going to help the walls dry," she said as people in the audience laughed. "And they had a big room, called the 'East Room.' I didn't know what to do with it so I hung the laundry there."
Michna also talked about the tragedies faced by Adams, including the death of her daughter to cancer, the death of her son, due to alcoholism and the damage done to the friendship between her husband and Thomas Jefferson because of the 1800 election, when both men sought the presidency.
Jessica Michna, Racine, provided guests at the Behring Senior Center a glimpse Tuesday into the life of one of the most well-known first ladies in history.
Michna was able to draw from hundreds of letters Abigail Adams wrote to John Adams and friends to portray the everyday life of the first lady and the challenges she faced during the difficult and dangerous days of the Revolution to the conclusion of her husband's presidency in 1800.
"She lived with history every day," Michna said of Mrs. Adams.
Michna has appeared before historical societies, schools, senior centers, church groups and Civil War roundtables. In addition to Abigail Adams, she performs one-woman plays as Mary Todd Lincoln and Eleanor Roosevelt. In all of her portrayals she takes pride in her knowledge of the character's life and dresses for the roles in period costumes.
Abigail Adams was an independent woman who, unlike many of her contemporaries, learned to read and write at an early age. It was the wish of her father, Michna said, that all of his children receive an education.
It benefited Abigail Adams, and her country, in later years as she corresponded with her husband while he was away from their home in Massachusetts either in Congress, in Europe or in Philadelphia serving as vice president.
"Adams depended on her greatly," Michna said. "She was a very competent woman."
Abigail Adams stayed at home "running the farm, keeping the books and educating" her children while her husband was away, Michna said.
Like her husband, she sacrificed during the early days of the Revolution.
She and her husband lost one child, who was stillborn, while he was in Congress. She wrote her husband that she was sorry he would never see the baby smile or grow to adulthood.
She and her children witnessed the battle of Bunker Hill from their home and she knew that there were personal dangers to be faced if the colonies lost their bid for independence. If the colonies lost the war, John Adams would be hanged for treason and she and her children would be transported out of the country as prisoners.
Yet, she persevered because she also believed in the cause of independence.
She and her husband were the first president and first lady to live in the Executive Mansion, the name of the White House when it was first built in 1799. She talked about how the plaster on the walls was still wet when she and John Adams moved in.
"We had to keep all 13 fireplaces going to help the walls dry," she said as people in the audience laughed. "And they had a big room, called the 'East Room.' I didn't know what to do with it so I hung the laundry there."
Michna also talked about the tragedies faced by Adams, including the death of her daughter to cancer, the death of her son, due to alcoholism and the damage done to the friendship between her husband and Thomas Jefferson because of the 1800 election, when both men sought the presidency.