Abigail Adams Society Launches at Historic City Tavern
By • March 9, 2026 One Comment 570
The Abigail Adams Society held its inaugural launch event on Feb. 26 at the historic City Tavern—the very building where President John Adams attended a reception in 1800 while overseeing construction of the White House.
Led by event chairs Ashley Bronczek and Kristin Cecchi, the evening featured remarks from distinguished speakers including Jackie Gingrich Cushman, Chair of the Adams Memorial Commission and President of the Adams Memorial Foundation; the Honorable Rodney Mims Cook, Jr., President of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts; acclaimed author Stephanie Dray; and Dr. Kurt Graham of the Adams Presidential Center. The Society was formed to honor Abigail Smith Adams—our nation’s second First Lady and a pioneering advocate for women’s rights, education, and civic responsibility—and to bring together 250 founding members to advance plans for a permanent Adams Memorial in Washington, D.C., which will include Abigail and mark the first memorial in the nation’s capital recognizing a woman as part of a presidential legacy.
Nearly 200 guests gathered to celebrate the launch. The evening was made possible through the generosity of the National Monuments Foundation and City Tavern, and featured an exclusive custom brooch designed by Washington jeweler Ann Hand for each of the Society’s 250 Founding Members.
In 1800, President Adams offered a toast in the same building: “May its prosperity equal the ardent enterprise of its inhabitants, and the felicity of their situation.” More than two centuries later, that spirit of enterprise and shared purpose echoed through a joyous evening honoring Abigail Adams and her enduring legacy.
More photos from the event are below.
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- Kristin Cecchi, Ashley Bronczek, Jackie Gingrich Cushman, Ann Hand, Catherine Hand. Photo courtesy Abigail Adams Society.
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- Elizabeth McAdam, Lynne Lightfoote, and Montez Anderson. Photo courtesy Abigail Adams Society.
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- Event co-chairs Ashley Bronczek and Kristin Cecchi. Photo courtesy Abigail Adams Society.
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- Photo courtesy Abigail Adams Society.
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- John Cecchi with “John and Abigail Adams.” Photo courtesy Abigail Adams Society.
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- Courtesy Abigail Adams Society.
What a wonderful reflection of an extraordinary evening. Thank you to The Georgetowner for capturing the spirit of the launch of the Abigail Adams Society at the historic City Tavern — a place that itself witnessed the founding of our nation.
Guests gathered to celebrate Abigail Adams’ enduring legacy and the effort to build a permanent Adams Memorial in Washington honoring John and Abigail Adams, President John Quincy Adams, and Louisa Catherine Adams.
This is just the beginning. The Abigail Adams Society is bringing together 250 founding members to help ensure that Abigail’s voice — one of faith, courage, partnership, education and civic responsibility — is recognized for generations to come.
To learn more or join this historic effort, visit http://www.theadamsmemorial.org
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