Legacy Lecture: Louisa Catherine Adams in America

Experience Louisa Catherine Adams’ life and legacy in this one-woman play by Laura Rocklyn.

Step into the life and mind of Louisa Catherine Adams, one of America’s most fascinating First Ladies. The year is 1848: John Quincy Adams has suffered a fatal stroke on the House floor, and Louisa reflects on her years in the White House, her decades of public service, and the sacrifices she made alongside her husband as he fought against slavery in the House of Representatives.

In this one-woman play, performed by award-winning actress and historical interpreter Laura Rocklyn, audiences will explore Louisa’s personal journey and consider her potential future as a widow: Will she join the early women’s rights movement inspired by her correspondence with activist Angelina Grimké?

Performance & Q&A:

• Approx. 40 minutes for the scripted performance
• 15–20 minutes for Q&A

About Laura Rocklyn:Laura Rocklyn is an award-winning actress, writer, and first-person historical interpreter, performing for educational groups and historical societies across the U.S. and U.K. She has worked with Historic New England, the Abigail Adams Historical Society, the Jane Austen Society of North America, and regional theatre companies nationwide. Laura is a company member of the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, an Honorary Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and serves on the Executive Board of the North American Friends of Chawton House. She holds MFAs from Emerson College and The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Academy for Classical Acting, and is currently a PhD candidate in English with Creative Writing at the University of York. www.LauraRocklyn.com

Event Details:

📅 Friday, June 12, 2026⏰ Noon ET

📍 Virtual via Zoom

🎟️ $9.00

🎟️ Reserve your spot and experience the story of Louisa Catherine Adams like never before.

NOTE: This program is entirely virtual. A recording of the program will be sent out following the program's conclusion. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided via Zoom. More information on accessing ASL services will be available during the Zoom webinar. This program is entirely virtual.

Members of the National First Ladies Library & Museum at the $125 level and above receive free access to this program and all ticketed online programs. Contact us at info@firstladies.org to become a member and receive your promo code for free access. To learn more about our membership program, visit firstladies.org/donate.