“In the Spirit of Friendship” Program Sunday, October 12 at 2 PM

Step back in time and converse with two of history’s most influential writers of the Revolution, John Adams and Mercy Otis Warren! This program will introduce visitors to Mercy Otis Warren and John Adams, where together, they will tell the story of how their friendship developed, grew, fractured, and was ultimately repaired through their correspondence.  

Michael LePage and Michele Gabrielson perform as John Adams and Mercy Otis Warren.

Actors Michael LePage and Michele Gabrielson will portray the historical figures with a special focus on the printing of Mercy’s history of the American Revolution, after which Mercy and John’s friendship became increasingly fragile due to the pair’s disagreements about how the newly formed United States should be governed.  This performance has been hosted at the Plymouth Public Library, Pilgrim Hall Museum, the Westford Museum, and Tales of Cape Cod.  The program will last about an hour with an opportunity for questions from the audience, promoting a deeper understanding of the material covered in the presentation.  

There will be a social following the program with refreshments provided by Historical Society members.  The program will be held in the barn at the Holliston Historical Society, 547 Washington Street.  This program is free and all are welcome to attend!  

Michael LePage has been a professional Historical Interpreter since 1992. Lepage has researched and taken on several iconic historical personas including: John Adams, Paul Revere, Dr. Joseph Warren, and Peter Oliver.  Lepage has performed at a variety of venues including the Adams National Historical Park, the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, Minute Man National Historical Park, The Paul Revere House, the Boston Tea Party Museum, and Boston’s Old South Meeting House and the Old State House.  In addition to his performances and appearances, Michael has participated in the Calling History Podcast- in which historical characters are interviewed in an unscripted phone conversation with historian Tony Dean. 

Michele Gabrielson is a public school educator who is also an historical interpreter specializing in 18th century printing, chocolate, and Mercy Otis Warren.  She serves on committees with Minute Man National Historic Park and serves as a founding member of the Board of Directors for the Mercy Otis Warren Society. Michele is also the founder of an interactive mobile educational program, “The Revolutionary Classroom,” for which she was awarded a 2024 Rising Star Award for Public Programming by the Massachusetts History Alliance. Michele was named a finalist for the 2024 Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year.  She has been named the Massachusetts Daughters of the American Revolution’s Outstanding History Teacher of the Year for 2025 and the 2025 winner of the Fred Graham Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Massachusetts Society of Cincinnati.

Oktoberfest at the Historical Society, Friday, October 17th

On Friday, October 17, oompah music by the Double Eagle Oktoberfest Band will greet attendees as they arrive for Oktoberfest in the Society’s 1815 barn. Before the night is out, people will be laughing, singing, and dancing a polka! Included in the $35 ticket price is a delectable German-style meal of knockwurst, German potato salad, warm red cabbage and sauerkraut, and apple crisp topped with whipped cream for dessert. The vegetarian option is Käsespätzle by pre-order when tickets are purchased. In addition to a selection of seasonal beers provided by Holliston’s Crafted, new this year is Märzen beer on draft by new Holliston business Rushford & Sons Brewhouse.  Tickets will be available at Celebrate Holliston and at the Harvest Fair, through the Society website using PayPal, or purchased at Crafted or Fiske’s stores in Holliston.  Questions? Contact Bea Hait at 774-292-9098 or [email protected]

Both events will be held at the Holliston Historical Society, 547 Washington Street.  The Historical Society is a non-profit group whose mission is to preserve Holliston’s history and share it with our community.   We hope you will see something of interest and join us!