Coolidge Homestead
Encyclopedia
The Coolidge Homestead, also known as Calvin Coolidge Homestead District or President Calvin Coolidge State Historical Site, was the childhood home of the thirtieth President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge
and the place where he took the presidential oath of office. Located in Plymouth Notch, Vermont
, Coolidge lived there from age four in 1876 to 1887, when he departed for Black River Academy
for education.
, who expanded the home from a simple -story farm house to its present size and appearance today.
Despite living most of his life in Northampton, Massachusetts
, Coolidge often returned to the homestead to visit his family and was staying there when President Warren G. Harding
, died. Coolidge was sworn in by his father in the family parlor after taking the Oath of Office
for the presidency. Due to his father's refusal to modernize the house, it remains to this day in the same condition, and in some cases with the same furnishings, as it was the night Coolidge took the oath. The Inaugural Room itself is behind glass, but a visitor can stand in an alcove and see the lamp, Bible, and table that were used in the ceremony, all placed in their historic positions.
The Homestead District includes:
The district was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1965.
Today, the Coolidge Homestead is part of the Calvin Coolidge State Historical Site overseen by the state of Vermont
. As far as possible the buildings have been returned to the conditions they were in when Coolidge was president. A simple video and picture display of his life is shown in the barn. The rooms in Coolidge Hall that he used as a Summer White House in 1924 have been restored and a video of contemporary newsreel film added.
It is located west and north of Vermont Route 100A in Plymouth Notch, and open daily from 9:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M, late May to mid-October. Directly across the road from the buildings are the Coolidge family graves. Four generations of the family, including the President, are buried here. The Calvin Coolidge State Park, a developed part of the Coolidge State Forest, is also close by.
Calvin Coolidge
John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. was the 30th President of the United States . A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state...
and the place where he took the presidential oath of office. Located in Plymouth Notch, Vermont
Plymouth, Vermont
Plymouth is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 555 at the 2000 census. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, was born in and is buried in Plymouth...
, Coolidge lived there from age four in 1876 to 1887, when he departed for Black River Academy
Black River Academy
Black River Academy is a historic academy on High Street in the village of Ludlow in Vermont.Black River Academy was chartered in Ludlow in 1835 and operated as a school, serving as the Town of Ludlow's public high school until 1938, when a new school was built...
for education.
History
The home, itself, was bought by his father, John CoolidgeJohn Calvin Coolidge, Sr.
John Calvin Coolidge, Sr. was an American politician and businessman from Vermont and the father of President Calvin Coolidge.-Political and business career:...
, who expanded the home from a simple -story farm house to its present size and appearance today.
Despite living most of his life in Northampton, Massachusetts
Northampton, Massachusetts
The city of Northampton is the county seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of Northampton's central neighborhoods, was 28,549...
, Coolidge often returned to the homestead to visit his family and was staying there when President Warren G. Harding
Warren G. Harding
Warren Gamaliel Harding was the 29th President of the United States . A Republican from Ohio, Harding was an influential self-made newspaper publisher. He served in the Ohio Senate , as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and as a U.S. Senator...
, died. Coolidge was sworn in by his father in the family parlor after taking the Oath of Office
Oath of office
An oath of office is an oath or affirmation a person takes before undertaking the duties of an office, usually a position in government or within a religious body, although such oaths are sometimes required of officers of other organizations...
for the presidency. Due to his father's refusal to modernize the house, it remains to this day in the same condition, and in some cases with the same furnishings, as it was the night Coolidge took the oath. The Inaugural Room itself is behind glass, but a visitor can stand in an alcove and see the lamp, Bible, and table that were used in the ceremony, all placed in their historic positions.
The Homestead District includes:
- Visitor Center
- Coolidge Homestead
- Farmer's Museum
- Wilder House
- Wilder Horse Barn
- Old Coolidge Farmhouse/Florence Ciley General Store/Coolidge Hall
- Coolidge Farm Shop
- Plymouth Cheese Factory (cheese making museum upstairs)
- One-Room Schoolhouse
- Azro Johnson House
- Union Christian ChurchUnion Christian ChurchUnion Christian Church is a historic Church located in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. The church was constructed in 1840, and dedicated in 1842. President Calvin Coolidge grew up across the street from the church and attended it as a child. The church building is owned and maintained by the Calvin...
- Carrie Brown Coolidge Garden (begun by the President's stepmother)
- Aldrich House
- Top of the Notch Cabins (1927 tourist accommodations)
- Brown Family Farmhouse
- Plymouth Notch Cemetery
The district was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1965.
Today, the Coolidge Homestead is part of the Calvin Coolidge State Historical Site overseen by the state of Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. As far as possible the buildings have been returned to the conditions they were in when Coolidge was president. A simple video and picture display of his life is shown in the barn. The rooms in Coolidge Hall that he used as a Summer White House in 1924 have been restored and a video of contemporary newsreel film added.
It is located west and north of Vermont Route 100A in Plymouth Notch, and open daily from 9:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M, late May to mid-October. Directly across the road from the buildings are the Coolidge family graves. Four generations of the family, including the President, are buried here. The Calvin Coolidge State Park, a developed part of the Coolidge State Forest, is also close by.