Adams

Town in Berkshire County, northwest Massachusetts, USA; population (1998 est) 8,800. Situated at the foot of Mount Greylock on the Hoosic River, it is 21 km/13 mi north-northeast of Pittsfield. Settled in the 1760s, it was a Quaker centre. The early economy was based on marble and limestone quarries, and later on textile and paper factories powered by the Hoosic. Nearby forests, parks, and ski resorts provide a tourist base.

The land of Adams was sold for settlement in 1766. Early names were Township Number One and East Hoosac. The town was incorporated as Adams in 1778, named after the politician Samuel Adams. There was an early Quaker influence, of which the Meeting House (1782) is a reminder. Another significant property is the birthplace of suffrage leader Susan B Anthony, which was built in 1817.

Mount Greylock at 1,064 m/3,491 ft is the highest point in Massachusetts, and overlooks Adams. It is part of the 4,455-ha/11,000-acre Mount Greylock State Reservation. Also in the reservation is the 37.2 m/92 ft war veterans' memorial tower of 1932.

Adams

Town in Jefferson County, north-central New York, USA; population (1990) 5,000. It is located 21 km/13 mi southwest of Watertown, and situated in a dairying region. It has diversified light industry, chiefly in the village of Adams, on Sandy Creek. Library innovator Melvil Dewey was born in Adams Center.