‘John Adams: In His Own Words’ Set For July 5

SYRACUSE - He argued. He debated. He made enemies … and changed the world anyway. This July 4th weekend, John Adams, the bold and outspoken Founding Father who helped forge American independence, comes to life in Syracuse.
“John Adams: In His Own Words” will be at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 5 in the Oakwood Event Center, 849 E. Lake View Road, Syracuse. The one-hour program is free and open to all ages.
As part of Chautauqua-Wawasee’s annual Patriotic Speaker Series, the 2026 program will feature the second president of the United States. Called the “Colossus of Independence” by none other than Thomas Jefferson, Adams navigated the treacherous early years of the Republic with a combination of stubbornness, brilliance and an unwavering commitment to principle over popularity, according to a news release from Chautauqua-Wawasee. Though bitter rivals, both Adams and Jefferson passed away on the same day - July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years to the day after signing the Declaration of Independence.
This free one-hour program, designed for all ages, will begin with Ken Oswald reading select portions of the Declaration of Independence, offering a glimpse into the thoughts and intentions of the Founding Fathers as they shaped the nation.
Then get ready for a riveting living history presentation by John Adams, portrayed by professional actor-historian Peyton Dixon. Adams will share stories from his life — from his pivotal role in the Continental Congress to his years serving as America’s first vice president and second president. And finally, the crowd favorite live questions-and-answers with the formal president will conclude the presentation.
Dixon has performed as Adams for the National Constitution Center, the National Park Service, Independence National Historical Park and the Adams Memorial Foundation, among many others. His portrayal of Adams is renowned for drawing out the full humanity of the man with all his complications, making history feel immediate and personal, the news release states.
“John Adams: In His Own Words” is presented by Chautauqua-Wawasee.
Chautauqua-Wawasee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enriching life in Syracuse and the surrounding northern Indiana region through programs centered on arts, education, faith and recreation. Continuing the tradition of the original Chautauqua movement — founded in 1874 — Chautauqua-Wawasee brings high-quality, accessible programming to the community, most of it free of charge, the release states.
For more information, visit www.chqw.org.