COLLECTION GUIDES

1777-1998; bulk: 1941-1998

Guide to the Collection

Restrictions on Access

The Charles Francis Adams (1910-1999) papers are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.

Portions of this collection are CLOSED to researchers until 1 January 2049.


Collection Summary

Abstract

This collection consists of the papers of Charles Francis Adams (1910-1999), descendent of John and John Quincy Adams, U.S. Navy veteran, and executive at Raytheon Company. The collection includes correspondence, speeches, naval papers, organizational papers, Adams family biographical and historical papers, and scrapbooks.

Biographical Sketch

Charles Francis Adams was born in Boston, Mass. on 2 May 1910, the son of Charles Francis Adams (1866-1954) and Frances (Lovering) Adams (1869-1956), the great-great-grandson of U.S. President John Quincy Adams, and the great-great-great-grandson of President John Adams. He had an older sister named Catherine Lovering Adams (1902-1988), who married Henry Sturgis Morgan (1900-1982).

Adams graduated with an A.B. from Harvard University in 1932 and attended Harvard Business School for two years without completing the degree. In 1934, he went to work for Jackson & Curtis--later Paine, Webber, Jackson & Curtis--a brokerage and investment banking firm in Boston. He became a partner at the firm in 1937.

Adams served as an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve beginning in 1932 and in the Organized Reserve from 1933-1940. He was called to active duty in November 1940, having received a commission as a lieutenant (junior-grade). For a few months in 1941, he served as first lieutenant on the U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426), escorting convoys of merchant ships between Newfoundland and Iceland. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was ordered to the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. and received additional training there and in Miami, Fla. He was eventually assigned to command the destroyer escort U.S.S. Fogg (DE-57) in the Atlantic in 1943 and the U.S.S. Seiverling (DE-441) in the Pacific in 1944. Both ships were engaged in anti-submarine warfare. After the war, Adams worked in the Navy Personnel Bureau before leaving the service in 1946 and returning to Paine, Webber, Jackson & Curtis.

Adams had served on the board of Raytheon Company before the war and rejoined in 1946. He went on to become chairman of the Finance Committee; executive vice president, 1947-1948; president, 1948-1960; chairman, 1960-1962; president again, 1962-1964; and chairman again, 1964-1975. He continued on the board of directors after 1975, as chairman of Finance Committee. Adams's tenure at Raytheon coincided with a period of expansive technological growth, including the development of television and microwave cooking. Raytheon also became a major defense contractor and, beginning in the post-war period, developed guided missile systems for the U.S. military. The company's Patriot surface-to-air missiles were used in the Persian Gulf War in the early 1990s.

Adams was affiliated with many organizations throughout his life. At various times, he served as director of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, First National Bank of Boston, Gillette Company, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Pan American World Airways, United Way of Massachusetts Bay, and others; trustee of the Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cotting School for Handicapped Children, Humane Society of Massachusetts, National Security Industrial Association, New England Colleges Fund, Tufts University, U.S.S. Constitution Foundation Museum, and others; chairman of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; and vice president of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and the Massachusetts Historical Society. He was also a member of several clubs and an avid yachtsman.

Charles Francis Adams married twice, first in 1934 to Margaret Stockton (1915-1972) and second in 1973 to Beatrice Dabney Penati (1932-). He had four children with his first wife: Abigail Adams (later Manny), Alison Adams (later Robinson, later Hagan), Charles Frances Adams, and Timothy Adams. He also had a stepson, Giannotto Penati (1969-). Charles Francis Adams died in Dover, Mass. on 5 January 1999.

Collection Description

This collection contains the papers of Charles Francis Adams (1910-1999), including correspondence, speeches, naval papers, organizational papers, Adams family biographical and historical papers, and scrapbooks. The bulk of the collection consists of three cartons of correspondence (primarily outgoing) on personal and business matters. NOTE: Correspondence is CLOSED to researchers until 1 January 2049.

The collection also contains speeches delivered by Adams between 1953 and 1997, primarily on business matters, with related correspondence, outlines, notes, drafts, etc.

Navy papers include a diary kept by Adams while serving on the destroyer U.S.S. Lansdale in 1941, escorting merchant ships across the Atlantic; papers related to his command of the destroyer escorts U.S.S. Fogg and U.S.S. Seiverling and to ships named after Adams family members; and orders, communications, and correspondence on naval matters.

Organizational papers consist of correspondence, meeting minutes, printed matter, and other papers documenting Adams's involvement with select organizations, including the Adams Memorial Society, Adams Temple and School Fund, Humane Society of Massachusetts, and Massachusetts Historical Society. Adams served on the MHS Council and as vice president and sat on the Finance and Adams Papers Administrative Committees.

The collection also contains papers related to Adams family ancestors, such as John Adams, Abigail Adams, and John Quincy Adams. Included are letters, printed items, a scrapbook, and other papers documenting the tenure of Charles Francis Adams (1866-1954) as U.S. Secretary of the Navy, as well as the victory of the yacht Resolute in the 1920 America's Cup, skippered by Adams.

Also included are biographies and oral histories of Charles Francis Adams (1910-1999); a short diary he kept during a trans-Atlantic yacht race in 1928; 15 scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings about his career at Raytheon and other subjects; and seven VHS videotapes, primarily about Raytheon.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Beatrice D. Adams, October 2018.

Restrictions on Access

The Charles Francis Adams (1910-1999) papers are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.

Portions of this collection are CLOSED to researchers until 1 January 2049.

Detailed Description of the Collection

I. Correspondence, 1958-1998

Arranged chronologically.

NOTE: The papers in this series are CLOSED to researchers until 1 January 2049.

This series consists primarily of outgoing correspondence of Charles Francis Adams on personal and business matters.

Carton 1SH 19HK 6

1958-1984

Carton 2SH 19HL 7

1985-1993

Carton 3SH 19HM 8

1994-1998

II. Speeches, 1903-1997; bulk: 1953-1997

Arranged chronologically.

This series contains typescript, manuscript, and printed copies of speeches by Charles Francis Adams, primarily related to business; drafts, notes, and outlines for speeches; and accompanying correspondence and printed matter. Also included are a few related speeches given by Richard E. Krafve and Thomas L. Phillips, presidents of Raytheon Company, as well as others. The dates of the speeches are listed in parenthesis.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 1

Massachusetts Mayors' Association luncheon meeting (14 Oct. 1953), 1953

Summary only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 2

"Raytheon Around the World" (20 May 1954), 1954

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 3

American Society of Tool Engineers, Boston Chapter (1954), 1954

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 4

Boston College seminar, introducing Gov. Foster Furcolo (19 Feb. 1957), 1957

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 5

Meeting with brokers (18 June 1957), 1957

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 6

"Raytheon and the Future," New York Society of Security Analysts (20 Jan. 1958), 1958

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 7

Boston Society of Security Analysts (26 Jan. 1958), 1958

Outline only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 8

Remarks to the board of directors of Raytheon (6 Feb. 1958), 1958

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 9

Quarter Century Club dinner (7 Apr. 1958), 1958

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 10

Annual meeting of stockholders, Raytheon (10 Apr. 1958), 1958

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 11

Talk to Naval War College, Newport, R.I. (June 1958), 1958

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 12

ROTC graduation, Fort Devens, Mass. (1 Aug. 1958), 1946-1958

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 13

Bankers' Day (5 Nov. 1958), 1958

Outline and supporting material only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 14

Management Course for Presidents (1-5 Dec. 1958), 1958

Supporting material only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 15

Addresses before the Boston Security Analysts Society (26 Jan. 1959), 1959

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 16

Annual meeting of stockholders, Raytheon (23 Apr. 1959), 1959

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 17

Remarks before the Pittsburgh Security Analysts (14 May 1959), 1959

Outline only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 18

"Raytheon's Role in a Dynamic Industry," San Francisco Security Analysts Society (10 Sep. 1959), 1958-1959

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 19-20

Brown University convocation (22 Oct. 1959), 1959

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 21

Boston Investment Club (4 Nov. 1959), 1959

Outline only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 22

Advanced Management Program graduation ([Dec. 1959]), 1959

Memorandum only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 23

Washington Society of Investment Analysts (28 Jan. 1960), 1958-1960

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 24

Portland Club (8 Feb. 1960), 1959-1960

Correspondence and notes only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 25

Conference on Careers in Business (22 Mar. 1960), 1960

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 26

Quincy Chamber of Commerce (26 May 1960), 1960

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 27-29

"The Businessman and Public Affairs," Manufacturers Association of Connecticut (13 Sep. 1960), 1960

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 30

"Technical Aspects of Air Traffic Control," Air Traffic Control Association, San Francisco, Calif. (5 Oct. 1960), 1960

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 31

MIT Boston Luncheon Club (29 Nov. 1960), 1960

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 32

U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, Boston Chapter (13 Dec. 1960), 1960

Correspondence only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 33

Remarks taped for the opening of Boston Symphony broadcasts (8 Jan. [1961?]), [1961]

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 34

"U.S. Production Problems in a Foreign Country," Industrial College of the Armed Forces (11 Jan. 1961), 1960-1961

Correspondence and notes only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 35

Council for International Progress in Management (31 Jan. 1961), 1960

Notice only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 36

Worcester Group / Society of Industrial Realtors (10 Oct. 1961), 1961

Correspondence and notes only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 37

New England Council, Maine members (3 Nov. 1961), 1961

Clipping only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 38

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Year End Business Conference (6 Dec. 1961), 1961

Correspondence only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 39

"Production in Western Europe," Industrial College of the Armed Forces (11 Jan. 1962), 1961

Correspondence only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 40

Boston Security Analysts (22 Jan. 1962), 1962

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 41

St. Louis Society of Security Analysts (16 Feb. 1962), 1961-1962

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 42

Greater Lowell United Fund annual dinner (14 Mar. 1962), 1961-1962

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 43

Statement on disarmament (Apr. 1962), 1962

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 44

San Francisco financial community luncheon (19 June 1962), 1962

Correspondence only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 45

Harvard Business School Club of Worcester (16 Oct. 1962), 1962

Correspondence and notes only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 46

"NASA, the Space Age and the Boston Area," Boston Citizen Seminar (17 Dec. 1963), 1963

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 47

"Boston and the Space Age Challenge," Boston Rotary Club (29 July 1964), 1964

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 48

Remarks to the Boston Security Analysts Society (21 Dec. 1964), 1963-1964

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 49

Meeting of the Government Affairs Institute, Associated Industries of New York State (28 Jan. 1965), 1965

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 50

Harvard ROTC (24 May 1965), 1965

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 51

Talk on hiring the handicapped, 13th Annual Employ the Handicapped Week, Conn. (5 Oct. 1965), 1965

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 52

Industry keynote address, U.S. Department of Defense and National Security Industrial Association (3 Mar. 1966), 1966

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 53

"Quality Control and the Challenges of Change," American Society for Quality Control (1 June 1966), 1965-1966

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 54

"The Importance of Balance," International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (23 Sep. 1966), 1966-1994

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 55

Acquisitions and Mergers, Corporate Seminars (20 Oct. 1966), 1966

Correspondence only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 56

Quincy-South Shore annual Chamber of Commerce dinner meeting (8 Dec. 1966), 1966

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 57

Remarks to the Advanced Management Program (14 Feb. 1967), 1967

Outline only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 58

Annual meeting of stockholders, Raytheon (24 May 1967), 1967

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 59-60

Northeast Electronics Research and Engineering meeting (1 Nov. 1967), 1967-1968

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 61

"Administrative Management in the Electronic Era," American Management Association (28 Nov. 1967), 1967-1968

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 62

Suggested remarks re: Hudson plant (25 Jan. 1968), 1968

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 63

Financial meeting, Europe (May 1968), 1968

Outline only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 64

"Help Wanted: Black and White," American Management Association Conference on Managing for a Better America (4 June 1968), 1968

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 65

Statement before the Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives, on tariff and trade proposals (25 June 1968), 1968

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 66

"A Case for Free Trade," International Center of New England (12 Sep. 1968), 1968

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 67

19th Annual Campaign Leaders Conference, United Community Funds and Councils of America (8 May 1969), 1969

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 68

Notes from opening remarks to the 1969 Advanced Management Program class (29 Jan. 1970), 1970

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 69

"New England's Competitive Advantage," International Center of New England (1 Apr. 1970), 1960-1970

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 70

America's Cup talk (Apr. 1970), 1970

Notes only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 71-76

Talk at Tufts on the Adams family diplomatic tradition (Nov. 1971), 1903-1971

Correspondence and supporting material only, including printed items.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 77

United Way of America speeches (30 Apr. 1972, 4 Oct. 1972, 9 Oct. 1973), 1968-1973

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 78

United Fund annual meeting (15 May 1974), 1974

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 79-82

Business Statesman Award, Harvard Business School Association of Boston (23 May 1974), 1974

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 83

Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati annual luncheon (22 Feb. 1975), 1974-1975

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 84

Public Relations Society of America, New England Chapter (23 Apr. 1975), 1975

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 85

Aerospace Industries Association International Committee (15 Oct. 1975), 1975

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 86

Alexis de Tocqueville Award to the Adams family (25 Apr. 1976), 1976-1985

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 87

"The Executive," Cambridge Forum (30 Nov. 1977), 1977

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 88

Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner, Boy Scouts of America (5 Dec. 1979), 1979-1981

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 89

Cornerstone setting ceremony, Intercultural Center, Tufts University (11 Apr. 1980), 1980

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 90

Business Associates Club (22 May 1980), 1980

Correspondence and notes only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 91-92

"High Technology Competitiveness," AIESEC XXII National Conference (28 Dec. 1980), 1978-1981

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 93

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 50th anniversary, ([1980]), 1931-1980

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 94-96

United Way of Wichita & Sedgwick County annual meeting (13 Jan. 1981), 1976-1981

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 97

John Adams Day dinner, the Hague, the Netherlands (19 Apr. 1982), 1982

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 98

Speech to Mrs. Thatcher, Christian Herter Award (20 Feb. 1985), 1985

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 99

Farewell dinner for Dean T. L. Eliot, Jr. (16 May 1985), 1985

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 100

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution tribute to Charles F. Adams (13 June 1985), 1985

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 101

Quincy Historical Society (22 May 1986, 18 May 1995), 1985-1994

Correspondence only.

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 102

The JASON Project, Museum of Science (8 May 1989), 1989

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 103-105

American Assembly and Council on Foreign Relations forum, (30 May-2 June 1991), 1991-1992

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 106

Dinner for Dennis Picard (11 June 1991), 1991

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 107

"Honoring Caleb Loring, Jr.," U.S.S. Constitution ball (20 May 1993), 1993

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 108

John Harvard Society annual luncheon meeting (1 Nov. 1993), 1993

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 109

USSC, Charles Francis Adams award to Joseph Moakley (18 Jan. 1994), 1994

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 110

Remarks on the life of Lord Sherfield (13 Feb. 1997), 1997

Carton 4SH 19HN 9Folder 111-113

Miscellaneous related speeches by others, 1947-1974

III. Naval papers, 1941-1994

Arranged chronologically.

This series contains papers documenting Charles Francis Adams's service in the U.S. Naval Reserve during and after World War II and on the Naval Reserve Policy Board. Papers consist primarily of orders and other official communications and forms from the Navy, as well as correspondence on naval matters. Correspondents include Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal (1892-1949) and Rear Admiral John E. Gingrich (1897-1960). The series also contains a diary kept by Adams onboard the U.S.S. Lansdale in 1941; a report by Harold Raynsford Stark (1880-1972), Chief of Naval Operations; and papers related to the destroyer escorts Adams commanded, the U.S.S. Fogg and U.S.S. Seiverling, including letters about reunions, histories of the ships, and biographies of Carleton Thayer Fogg (1917-1942) and William Frank Seiverling (1920-1942). Also included are papers related to the launching of the submarine U.S.S. John Adams, the decommissioning of the U.S.S. Charles Francis Adams, and a forum at the Naval War College in 1992.

Carton 5SH 19HP BFolder 1

Diary, 1941 (typescript)

Adams kept this diary while serving as first lieutenant on the U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426), 19 June-9 Dec. 1941. The Lansdale escorted convoys of ships between Newfoundland and Iceland in the months leading up to America's entry into World War II. Entries describe the ship's operation and movements, the possibility of attack by German submarines, rescues of survivors of torpedoed ships, Adams's thoughts on the war and the likelihood of America's entry, and his reaction to the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Carton 5SH 19HP BFolder 2-4

Orders, communications, forms, correspondence, etc., 1942-1944

Carton 5SH 19HP BFolder 5

Report by Howard Raynsford Stark, [1944?]

This detailed 80-page report was written by Harold Raynsford Stark, Chief of Naval Operations, possibly for his 1944 Court of Inquiry related to the attack on Pearl Harbor. The report describes Stark's actions leading up to the attack and includes extensive excerpts of correspondence.

Carton 5SH 19HP BFolder 6-21

Orders, communications, forms, correspondence, etc., 1945-1983

Carton 5SH 19HP BFolder 22-23

U.S.S. Fogg, 1943-1992; bulk: 1991-1992

Carton 5SH 19HP BFolder 24

U.S.S. Seiverling, 1956-1994; bulk: 1974-1994

Carton 5SH 19HP BFolder 25-26

U.S.S. John Adams, 1962-1963

Included is an original letter from President John F. Kennedy to Charles Francis Adams approving of Abigail (Adams) Manny as sponsor, 1 Oct. 1962.

Carton 5SH 19HP BFolder 27

U.S.S. Charles Francis Adams, 1989-1994

Carton 5SH 19HP BFolder 28-36

Naval War College Current Strategy Forum, 1992

This disbound binder contains papers related to the Current Strategy Forum at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I., which Adams attended, including correspondence and selected readings on foreign policy issues.

IV. Organizational papers, 1946-1998

Arranged alphabetically.

This series contains papers documenting Charles Francis Adams's work with select organizations, including correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, printed matter, and other material.

NOTE: The papers in this series are not comprehensive. Series I (Correspondence) contains many letters related to Adams's work with these and other organizations.

A. Adams Memorial Society, 1946-1992

Included are letters related to the preservation of Adams family birthplaces, monuments, and grave sites; meeting minutes; a history of the Adams National Historic Site by Malcolm Freiberg; the publication The Adamses at Home (1970); and other papers. Among the correspondents are Mary Ogden Abbott (1894-1981) and Thomas Boylston Adams (1910-1997).

NOTE: For additional papers related to the Adams family, see Series IV.E (Adams Papers) and Series V (Adams family biographical and historical papers).

Carton 5SH 19HP BFolder 37-42

1946-May 1978

OS Folder

Annual financial report for 1977, 10 May 1978

Carton 5SH 19HP BFolder 43-55

June 1978-1992

B. Adams Temple and School Fund, 1966-1997

Included are meeting minutes, correspondence, financial material, papers related to the lease of the Adams Academy building to the Quincy Historical Society and its designation as a National Historic Landmark, and other papers. Adams served on the Board of Supervisors of the fund.

Carton 5SH 19HP BFolder 56-65

C. Century Box Committee, 1981-1982

The Century Box is a time capsule at Faneuil Hall, Boston, compiled by the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts and sealed in 1981, to be opened in the year 2080. Adams contributed a letter to the box.

Carton 5SH 19HP BFolder 66

D. Humane Society of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1972-1998

Adams served as trustee, corresponding secretary, and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Humane Society of Massachusetts. Included are letters and other papers related to grants and awards given by the society, financial material, select meeting minutes, and correspondence about meetings. Correspondents include Barbara Driscoll, secretary to the Standing Committee.

Carton 5SH 19HP BFolder 67-88

E. Massachusetts Historical Society, 1963-1998

Adams was a member of the Massachusetts Historical Society beginning in 1960 and served as a member-at-large of the Council from 1981-1987 and vice president from 1987. He also served on the Finance Committee and the Adams Papers Administrative Committee. Papers consist primarily of letters and memoranda. Correspondents include Louis Leonard "Len" Tucker (1927-), director of the MHS, and Lyman Henry Butterfield (1909-1982) and Richard Alan Ryerson (1942-), editors in chief of the Adams Papers.

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 1-20

Council and Finance Committee, 1981-1998

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 21-27

Adams Papers, 1963-1998

NOTE: For additional papers related to the Adams family, see Series IV.A (Adams Memorial Society) and Series V (Adams family biographical and historical papers).

F. White House Fine Arts Committee, 1961-1986

Adams served on this committee, which was established by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961 to furnish the White House with pieces dating from the period of the building's construction. Included is correspondence with Kennedy and others.

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 28-36

V. Adams family biographical and historical papers, 1777-1998

Arranged by family member.

This series contains biographical and historical papers about Adams family ancestors, as well as biographies of Charles Francis Adams (1910-1999). The papers consist of correspondence, printed material, transcripts and photocopies, and other items, including a few original manuscripts.

NOTE: For additional papers related to the Adams family, see Series I (Correspondence), Series IV.A (Adams Memorial Society), and Series IV.E (Adams Papers).

A. John Adams (1735-1826), 1833-1994

Included are papers related to portraits, artifacts, and autographs of John Adams; his house in Grosvenor Square, London, England; his move into the White House; his work as minister to the Netherlands; the naming of a library in the Hague after him; and his life in Auteuil, France.

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 37-41

B. Abigail Adams (1744-1818), 1992-1994

Included is a letter from Stella Mallett Trafford (1912-2009) about what would later become the Boston Women's Memorial on Commonwealth Avenue, featuring Abigail Adams, as well as papers related to an original play about Adams entitled Love, Abigail and clippings about her 250th birthday.

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 42

C. John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), 1777, 1953-1993

Included is a reproduction of a childhood letter by John Quincy Adams; papers related to furnishings in the drawing room named after him at the Department of State, Washington, D.C.; and transcripts of his memoirs (3-5 July 1837) and diary (17 Sep.-14 Oct. 1794).

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 43-47

D. Charles Francis Adams (1835-1915), 1907-1992

Included is an original letter from Charles Francis Adams to Moncure Daniel Conway (1832-1907) about Adams's memories of the Civil War and opinions of various officers (28 Jan. 1907).

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 48

E. Peter Chardon Brooks Adams (1848-1927), 1968

Included is a typescript sketch of Peter Chardon Brooks Adams entitled "The Brooks Adams I Knew," by Wilhelmina Sellers Harris (1896-1991).

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 49

F. Charles Francis Adams (1866-1954), 1898-1997

Included are letters, printed items, and other papers related to Charles Francis Adams's tenure as Secretary of the Navy, yachting, and other subjects. The subseries contains a photocopy of the printed log of the Resolute, the yacht that won the America's Cup in 1920, skippered by Adams, as well as letters and telegrams congratulating him on the victory. Also included is a letter from the Chief of Naval Operations Harold Raynsford Stark (1880-1972) with news of World War II (27 Mar. 1940), memorials and biographies of Adams, and a scrapbook of newspaper clippings primarily documenting his service as Secretary of the Navy.

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 50-55

Correspondence, printed matter, etc., 1898-1997

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 56

Log of the Resolute from May 9, 1920 to July 29, 1920 (photocopy), 1920

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 57-58

Congratulatory letters and telegrams, 1920

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 59

Scrapbook, 1929-1930

G. Frances (Lovering) Adams (1869-1912), 1994

Included are letters, schedules, and printed matter about the Women's National Sailing Championship at the Cohasset (Mass.) Yacht Club and the trophy awarded in honor of Frances (Lovering) Adams.

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 60

H. Charles Francis Adams (1910-1999), 1928-1998

Included is a 10-page manuscript diary kept by Charles Francis Adams while sailing in a race on the yacht Atlantic with his father and others, 6-25 July 1928, as well as two transcripts of oral history interviews, one with the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace focusing on Adams's connection with Hoover and political subjects (1970), the other focusing primarily on Adams's work with Raytheon (1988). The subseries also contains miscellaneous biographical material, including biographical sketches, lists of professional affiliations, and printed matter about Adams.

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 61

Diary kept onboard the Atlantic, 1928

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 62

Oral history interview, 1970

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 63

Oral history interview, 1988

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 64-71

Miscellaneous biographical material and printed matter, 1945-1998

I. Miscellaneous Adams family members, 1795-1993

This subseries consists of papers related to miscellaneous and/or multiple Adams family members, primarily correspondence, printed matter, and family trees. Also included is an original manuscript account of the fishing schooner Adams of Marblehead with a list of the crew (1795), as well as a program, newspaper clippings, and other papers related to the 200th anniversary of George Washington's inauguration (1989), attended by Charles Francis Adams and other descendents of presidents.

OS Folder

Account of the fishing schooner Adams of Marblehead, 17 Mar.-14 Dec. 1795

Carton 6SH 19HQ CFolder 72-76

Miscellaneous family papers, 1872-1993

VI. Scrapbooks and clippings, 1920-1994

Arranged chronologically.

This series contains 15 disbound scrapbooks of newspaper clippings and photographs documenting Charles Francis Adams's life and career, primarily his work with Raytheon, and loose newspaper clippings about the theft and recovery of a Mather Brown portrait of Thomas Jefferson owned by Adams. Included is material related to Raytheon's manufacture of television sets and microwave ovens in the post-war period; developments in radar and radio technology, as well as guided missiles and other defense projects; the finances and growth of the company; speeches delivered by Adams and events he attended; and his work with the Massachusetts Bay United Fund. Some clippings relate to the U.S. Navy, Adams's father Charles Francis Adams (1866-1954), and other family members. Pages of disbound scrapbooks are arranged in the order in which they appeared in the volumes.

Carton 7SH 19HR DFolder 1-10

Scrapbook, 1920-1985

Carton 7SH 19HR DFolder 11-13

Scrapbook, 1947

This scrapbook contains photographs and newspaper clippings promoting Raytheon's "Radarange," the first commercially available microwave oven, used at the Hotel Statler in Boston, Mass., the Aero Snack Bar in Norwood, Mass., and other locations. Also included are Hotel Statler menus featuring Radarange meals.

Carton 7SH 19HR DFolder 14-24

Scrapbook, 1950-1952

Carton 7SH 19HR DFolder 25-28

Scrapbook, 1952-1953

Carton 7SH 19HR DFolder 29-36

Scrapbook, 1954-1955

Carton 7SH 19HR DFolder 37-43

Scrapbook, 1954-1958

Carton 7SH 19HR DFolder 44-49

Scrapbook, 1959-1963

Carton 7SH 19HR DFolder 50-51

Scrapbook, 1964-1966

Carton 7SH 19HR DFolder 52-58

Scrapbook, 1967-1968

Carton 7SH 19HR DFolder 59-65

Scrapbook, 1969-1970

Carton 7SH 19HR DFolder 66-70

Scrapbook, 1971-1973

Carton 7SH 19HR DFolder 71-72

Scrapbook, 1974-1975

Carton 7SH 19HR DFolder 73-77

Scrapbook, 1976-1979

Carton 7SH 19HR DFolder 78-80

Scrapbook, 1980-1985

Carton 7SH 19HR DFolder 81

Printed material related to Thomas Jefferson painting, 1982, 1994

VII. Audiovisual materials, 1987-1998

Arranged chronologically.

This series consists of seven VHS videotapes related to Charles Francis Adams, primarily his work at Raytheon Company. Two videotapes have been copied onto DVDs. Also included are videos about the U.S.S. Constitution and Adams's sailing experiences.

Box 1SH 1A6J

Presentation of the International Maritime Heritage Award to the U.S.S. Constitution, 17 Dec. 1987

The International Maritime Heritage Award was presented by President Ronald Reagan to Commander David M. Cashman of the U.S.S. Constitution. The ceremony was held in the Oval Office with a group of officials in attendance, including Charles F. Adams.

Box 1SH 1A6J

President George H. W. Bush's visit to Raytheon, Channel 5 news coverage, 15 Feb. 1991

This program goes into detail about the workings of the Patriot missile.

Box 1SH 1A6J

The Spirit of Raytheon, 1991

31 min. 51 sec.

This history of the company may have been produced by Raytheon.

Box 1SH 1A6J

World Monitor, Monitor Channel, Feb. 1992

8 min. 17 sec.

In this program, correspondent Paul Miller reports on Raytheon and its diversification from military to commercial product manufacturing.

Box 1SH 1A6J

Interview with Charles F. Adams, John Hancock Visual Communications Department, [1996?]

ca. 76 min.VHS tape and DVD copy.

In this interview, Charles F. Adams discusses his sailing experiences.

NOTE: Use of the original is restricted. A digital copy of this videotape is available for researchers in the MHS Library (DF-017).

Box 1SH 1A6J

Interview with Charles F. Adams about Raytheon and its history, 22 Oct. 1998

VHS tape and DVD copy.

NOTE: Use of the original is restricted. A digital copy of this videotape is available for researchers in the MHS Library (DF-017).

Box 1SH 1A6J

Invention, Smithsonian Institution, episode 79, undated

Invention aired on the Discovery Channel in the early 1990s. This episode discusses several inventions, including the microwave oven by Raytheon.

Preferred Citation

Charles Francis Adams (1910-1999) papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.

Access Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.

Persons:

Abbott, Mary Ogden, 1894-1981.
Adams, Charles F. (Charles Francis), 1866-1954.
Adams family.
Adams family--Homes and haunts.
Adams, Thomas Boylston, 1910-1997.
Butterfield, L. H. (Lyman Henry), 1909-1982.
Forrestal, James, 1892-1949.
Gingrich, John E., 1897-1960.
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826--Portraits.
Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy, 1929-1994.
Ryerson, Richard Alan, 1942-
Stark, Harold R. (Harold Raynsford), 1880-1972.
Trafford, Stella Mallett, 1912-2009.
Tucker, Louis Leonard, 1927-

Organizations:

Adams Memorial Society.
Adams National Historical Park (Quincy, Mass.).
Adams Temple and School Fund.
America's Cup.
Fogg (Destroyer).
Humane Society of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Lansdale (Destroyer).
Massachusetts Historical Society.
Massachusetts Historical Society. Adams papers.
Raytheon Company.
Resolute (Yacht).
Seiverling (Destroyer).
United States. Navy.
United States. Navy Reserve.
White House Fine Arts Committee.
White House (Washington, D.C.).

Subjects:

Businessmen--Massachusetts.
Defense contracts--United States.
Guided missiles.
Microwave cooking.
Microwave ovens.
Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), Attack on, 1941.
Scrapbooks--1920-1985.
Scrapbooks--1929-1930.
Speeches, addresses, etc., American.
Warships--United States.
Weapons industry--United States.
World War, 1939-1945--Atlantic Ocean.
World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations, American.
World War, 1939-1945--Pacific Ocean.
Yacht racing.

Materials Removed from the Collection

Photographs from this collection have been removed to the MHS Photo Archives. Artifacts have been removed to the MHS Artifacts Collection.