Adams Presidential Center Announces Dr. Kurt Graham as Inaugural President

Barchart · 10/15 11:00

The Board of Directors of the Adams Presidential Center and Foundation in Quincy, Massachusetts, announces the selection of Dr. Kurt Graham as the inaugural president of the Adams Presidential Center. Dr. Graham comes to Quincy from the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri, where he served as director for nine years. During his tenure, he oversaw a $30M renovation of the principal museum exhibits and dramatically expanded the Library’s educational and public programming. Clifton Truman Daniel, President Truman's eldest grandson and Honorary Chair of the Truman Library Institute said, "Through talent, hard work and good humor, Kurt has been an excellent steward of the Truman legacy. As Winston Churchill said of my grandfather, 'He has real ability.' The family is delighted he has this fantastic opportunity, but we are really going to miss him."

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Dr. Kurt Graham has been selected as the inaugural president of the Adams Presidential Center in Quincy, Massachusetts. (Photo: Business Wire)

Dr. Kurt Graham has been selected as the inaugural president of the Adams Presidential Center in Quincy, Massachusetts. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Adams Presidential Center aims to inspire future generations to serve their communities and our nation by promoting the ideals of citizenship and public service as exemplified by a great American family. "We are deeply honored to have Kurt as the President of the Adams Presidential Center. Kurt embodies the character of citizenship and public service championed by the Adams family," remarked General Joseph F. Dunford, USMC (ret.), Board Chairman of the Adams Presidential Center. “As we seek to inspire the next generation to lead, serve, and productively engage within our community and Nation, there is no finer leader to inspire action by example.”

“I consider it a great honor to get to lead the effort to reinvigorate and reimagine how we tell the story of a New England family whose service of country over self produced an unparalleled legacy in our national history,” Graham said. "The Center will deploy modern exhibits, support new scholarly research, and produce engaging educational and public programs – all with an eye to reminding citizens of America and the world that the values that propelled the Adamses to action remain relevant.” Graham further noted, "It is curious that nothing of this scale has been undertaken before now to acknowledge the contributions of this Founding-Era family. The work of the Center will burnish their place in the pantheon of American political luminaries."

Please join Dr. Kurt Graham in celebrating the birthday of one of America’s most visionary Founders, John Adams, at the inaugural Adams Speaker Series event, John Adams: Passion for the Public Good & Civic Education. Hosted by the Adams Presidential Center’s Institute for Civic Leadership, this event will take place on October 30th at Quincy High School. Our panel of distinguished historians and civic leaders will explore the lessons and legacy of John Adams’ life to contemporary efforts to renew civic education. Adams was a patriot whose passion for the public good, unwavering dedication to our nation’s founding principles, and commitment to education for citizenship continue to resonate today. This thoughtful exploration will delve into the values that shaped Adams’ life and contributions to the nation, while also exploring how we can draw on his legacy to renew civic learning in our time. For more information and registration, please visit here.

About the Adams Presidential Center:

The Adams Presidential Center aspires to reinvigorate the democratic ideals that inspired the Adamses and drove them to build a new nation. The Center will create dynamic experiences that bring to life the story of the Adams family. Highlighting the Adamses’ contemporary relevance, the Center will inspire future generations to serve their communities and our nation. For more information about the project, visit our website.