(3)
Happy Veteran's Day. Thank you to all who have served our country. Here is a photo of President Coolidge signing an appropriation bills for the Veterans Bureau on the south lawn during the garden party for wounded veterans on June 5, 1924.
Calvin and Grace Coolidge voting in Northampton, Massachusetts on November 2, 1920. He is on the ballot for Vice-President of the United States and it is her first time voting in a federal election after the 19th amendment. #womensuffrage #vote
Grace Coolidge and Helen Keller in 1926
A follow-up on the White House Historical Association's post we shared yesterday. One of our all-time favorite photographs (from the Library of Congress) is this image of First Lady Grace Coolidge meeting Helen Keller at the White House in 1926. Grace Coolidge's interest in the hearing impaired dated back to when she was a teacher at the Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton, MA. Both President and Mrs. Coolidge raised large amounts in support of the seeing and hearing impaired.
As the Washington Nationals continue on in the World Series, enjoy this video from the The Library of Congress of the 1924 World Series. President and First Lady Coolidge appear at 1:40. https://youtu.be/b2AN9IDDLqg
Watch the Washington Senators win the 1924 World Series in a thrilling extra innings triumph over the New York Giants. Preserved by the Packard Campus for Au...
Calvin Coolidge began the tradition of a National Christmas tree in 1923 with a tree gifted from his native Vermont.
Today, a new National Christmas Tree will be planted on the Ellipse just south of the White House. The new Colorado Blue Spruce from Pennsylvania will carry on a national tradition that began when President Calvin Coolidge planted the first National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in 1923.
In today’s gallery, review ninety-six years of National Christmas Trees.
"The most distinguished fan" President Coolidge throwing out the ball for the Washington Senators in the 1924 World Series. Grace seated beside him was the true fan in the household and be nicknamed "The First Lady of baseball." Times Wide World photo
First Lady Grace Coolidge sampling cookies from New York Girl Scouts visiting Washington, D.C. on October 17, 1923. Photo by Underwood & Underwood.
Postcard of the Calvin Coolidge Memorial Bridge, dedicated on October 12, 1939, which spans the Connecticut River between Northampton and Hadley, Massachusetts. The description on the back of the card reads: "The Calvin Coolidge Memorial Bridge, which was dedicated on October 12, 1939, is some 1440 feet long, and with a road width of 40 feet, and a 10 foot sidewalk. Cost of the bridge is 1.5 million dollars, and this fine improved structure serves two purposes. It acts as a protection from the numerous Connecticut River floods and a fitting tribute to Northampton's first citizen, Calvin Coolidge."
Photo of the Govenor and Lt. Governor arriving to the front of chapel, Massachusetts Agricultural College (now UMass Amherst), October 9, 1915. Lt. Governor Calvin Coolidge is standing on the running board of the car on the right with Governor Samuel W. McCall below him. Photo by Katherine E. McClellan.
It's National Fire Prevention Week. President Calvin Coolidge in 1925 issued the first Presidential proclamation of Fire Prevention Week
John Bukosky, Coolidge chauffeur with Lincoln car at 21 Massasoit Street, Northampton, MA in 1929. This car was Coolidge's Presidential limo and he purchased it upon leaving office. Photo by Northampton photographer Eric Stahlberg.
Check out the latest podcast from the The White House Historical Association for facts and trivia of the "People's House" https://www.whitehousehistory.org/1600-sessions/back-to-basics-white-house-history-with-david-rubenstein?utm
In this special episode of The 1600 Sessions, we turn the tables on our podcast’s usual format. Financier and philanthropist David Rubenstein takes his turn asking more than 50 questions on Wh...
From September 18, 1929 the opening of Mt. Tom Bridge in Easthampton. Photo of Grace Coolidge, Dr. John C. Allen (Coolidge friend), Calvin Coolidge, Avalon Robertston (state engineer) and A. P. Rounds (bridge contractor) standing on the bridge. The photo location today is on Mt Tom Road (Rte. 5) at the Northampton/Easthampton town line near the public boat ramp and before East Street in Easthampton. (Photo # CC: A10.36A).
Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Boston Police strike. See this MassLive article for more about Governor Calvin Coolidge and the strike
September marks the centennial of a police strike in which Coolidge activated National Guard troops to patrol Boston streets.
October 16 is the last day to register to vote in Massachusetts for the November 5 election. To register online go to https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/
As you make your decision whether or not to go to the polls and then how to vote, remember the words of Calvin Coolidge from his November 4, 1930 "Calvin Coolidge Says" syndicated newspaper column, “We have a tendency to be too indifferent before primaries and elections and too critical after. Public officers can and do exercise large influence over our daily life but the main course of events is in our own hands.”
The 19th amendment granting women the right to vote was ratified on August 18, 1920. On November 2, 1920, Grace Coolidge voted in her first Federal election and her husband was on the ballot for Vice-President of the United States. Photo from the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum at Forbes Library.
Calvin Coolidge Says:
syndicated newspaper column of August 15, 1930
The right to vote is the very essence to self-government. It is a privilege we are too prone to assume is self-existent, and therefore unimportant. It is the foundation of our liberties. If this source be defiled, the whole body politic becomes contaminated.
At this season we are engaged in selecting candidates. Many of them are chosen by direct vote of the people. Those now nominated will dominate the government in a few months. They will then have charge of our destiny. If we wish to be in the hands of competent and worthy office holders we must act now. Election day may be too late. The beginning of good government is in good nominations. It is time we gave serious and conscientious attention to our right to vote by nominating the best qualified candidates.
The people may not always understand complicated questions, but they do know men. They can judge of character, ability and experience. Our government never needed good public officers more than now. The people can have them if they will take them. Unless we make our nominations on merit, public questions will not be decided on merit.
Photo of a painting of the scene on August 3, 1923 at 2:47 am as Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as President by his father. President Harding died in California on August 2 and Vice-President Coolidge was vacationing at his father's farm in Plymouth Notch were a telegram was sent informing him of the news.
On this day in Coolidge history is "Notification Day"
July 27, 1920, Massachusetts Governor Calvin Coolidge is officially notified at his home in Northampton by the Republican Party of this nomination for the Vice-Presidency. Northampton celebrated with a parade and thousands gathered at Allen Field at Smith College to hear Coolidge's acceptance speech. Photo of a 1920 Harding and Coolidge campaign poster.
Grace Coolidge knitting with son John, sitting on the porch of the Coolidge homestead in Plymouth Notch, Vermont on July 20, 1920. Photo from the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum collections (A8.15).
Grace and Calvin Coolidge and collie Rob Roy on vacation in Swapscott, Massachsuetts, summer 1925. Photo by International Newsreel in the collection of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum. (A.2.50)
The Coolidge Museum will be closed on Monday July 15 due to a water leak repair. If planning to visit on Tuesday July 16, please call ahead.
Forbes Library will be closed on Monday, July 15th due to a water leak repair by the DPW. We anticipate reopening as usual on Tuesday, July 16th at 10 AM, but if the repair takes longer than expected it could impact opening. Please check the library's website www.forbeslibrary.org or call 413-587-1011 for updates.
Vice-Presidential nominee Calvin Coolidge visiting his father's farm in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, July 1920. Unknown photographer. Photos from the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Libary & Museum collections.
"One of the pleasures of volunteering at the Coolidge Presidential Museum at Forbes Library is the interesting people I get to meet. We have visitors from all over the nation and occasionally from a foreign country. It makes one realize the importance of tourism to the local economy."
One of the pleasures of volunteering at the Coolidge Presidential Museum at Forbes Library is the interesting people I get to meet. We have visitors from all over the nation and occasionally from a foreign country. It makes one realize the importance...
Calvin and Grace Coolidge and dogs on vacation at White Pine in New York's Adirondacks in Summer 1926. Photo from the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum at Forbes Library. Vacation where history happened and sleep in the President's cabin at White Pine Camp
Happy Birthday to Calvin Coolidge, born July 4, 1872 in Plymouth Notch, Vermont!
Photo from the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum at Forbes Library of the President fishing on his birthday in 1927 in Black Hills, SD.
The Forbes Library and Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum will be closed on July 4 for Independence Day. To Celebrate President Coolidge's Birthday, head to our friends in Plymouth Notch, Vermont and experience the President Coolidge State Historic Site and Coolidge Foundation festivities.
Looking for vacation reads? Calvin Coolidge's 1929 Autobiography is available at the Internet Archive for download to a e-reader or tablet from
https://archive.org/details/autobiographyofc011710mbp/page/n5
Our favorite biographies of Coolidge include the 1939 Calvin Coolidge Man from Vermont by Claude Fuess as Fuess knew and interviewed Calvin and Grace giving him unique insight. For modern looks at our 30th President, we suggest Coolidge by Amity Shlaes (2013) or Coolidge: An American Enigma by Robert Sobel (1998). Both Shlaes and Sobel has access to martiels that had yet to be donated and available to the public during the time of Fuess' research. Email [email protected] to make a research appointment to use Coolidge's personal and political papers.
The Leslie Jones collection at Boston Public Library contains many images of Calvin Coolidge and can be browsed online through the Digital Commonwealth.
For #NationalCameraDay, let's honor the self-described Camera-Man, Leslie Jones. A staff photographer at the Boston-Herald Traveler for decades, Leslie saw and shot it all. His family bequeathed 5000+ photos to the BPL http://ow.ly/bgnS50uPoWi
Governor Coolidge walks out on opening day April 15, 1920 with the Red Sox and Washington Senators at Fenway Park. The old left field Wall and Duffy's Cliff are visible behind them. The Red Sox defeated the Senators and an ailing Walter Johnson 7-6 to start a five game winning streak to open the season.
http://images.forbeslibrary.org/items/show/4279
The First Lady of Baseball Grace Coolidge and her sons John and Calvin, Jr. watching the Washington Senators vs. Philadelphia Athletics on June 26, 1924. Photo by Underwood & Underwood in the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum collections (5.12.2)
Governor Coolidge (in suit and tall hat) in procession at Harvard University commencement June 24, 1920. unknown photographer. Photo in Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum collections (A7.10).
Governor Coolidge at Amherst College Commencement, June 18.1919. Coolidge's speech was reprinted in a book of speeches titled Have Faith in Massachusetts and can be read on the Calvin Coolidge Foundation's website https://www.coolidgefoundation.org/resources/speeches-as-governor-of-mass-1919-1920-6/ Photo from the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum collection (A5.43)
A Father's day Coolidge tribute from THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OBVIOUS blog by Daniel Wright
“My father seemed to like to work in the shop, but did not go there much except when a difficult piece of work was required, like welding a broken steel section rod of a mowing machine, which…
Governor Coolidge receiving battle flags of World War
June 14, 1919. Photo in the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum collections (8.6.04).
From June 13, 1920, Governor and Mrs. Coolidge at Adams House in Boston reading telegrams of congratulations on his nomination for Vice-President. The Republican National Convention was held in Chicago June 8-12. His formal Notification Day with parade and acceptance speech would be held in Northampton July 27, 1920. Photos by Jack Williams in the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum collections (A6.43-5).
The Coolidge Bridge over the Connecticut River connecting Northampton to Hadley Massachusetts under construction June 6, 1938. Photo from a scrapbook in the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum (CCBridge28).
Governor Coolidge being escorted to Army and Navy Club dedication on June 5, 1920. Coolidge is seated in the back left of the open touring car. Photo in the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum collections (A6.40)
Grace and Calvin Coolidge in their garden at their Northampton home "The Beeches", circa 1931. This Saturday June 8 is the annual Friends of Forbes Library Garden Tour. For more information on the tour see https://forbeslibrary.org/friends/events/garden-tour/
The President Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, just 2 hours from Northampton, will have Presidential pet photos on exhibit this summer. Images from Northampton will be featured. If you can not make it to Plymouth Notch, you can find a taste of Plymouth Notch locally as Plymouth Artisan Cheese made in the President's father's cheese factory is available at River Valley Co-op or State Street Fruit Store, Deli, Wines & Spirits in Northampton.
Coolidge Site visitors are in for a real treat this season that begins tomorrow, May 25! Our new "Presidential Menagerie" exhibit is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Here's one of the wonderful photographs in the show - First Lady Grace Coolidge with Airedale Paul Pry and white collie Rob Roy, at the White House, September 26, 1924. Courtesy Library of Congess.
Graduating class of Black River Academy, Ludlow, Vermont, May 23, 1890. Calvin Coolidge second from left in back row. Photo from the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum (CC2.8.04)
The White House Historical Association
On July 7, 1924, tragedy struck the White House. Calvin Coolidge, Jr., the sixteen-year-old son of President Calvin Coolidge, died of blood poisoning after a week of fighting for his life in the hospital.
The tragedy began with a simple blister. Calvin Jr. had been playing tennis on the court on the White House lawn with his older brother John and developed a blister on his toe. Instead of healing easily, the blister became infected, and the infection spread to young Calvin’s bloodstream. He developed a fever and was soon hospitalized.
President Coolidge ensured that his son had access to the best medical care possible. At Walter Reed Hospital, numerous doctors worked around the clock to save the life of the president’s youngest son, but there was little they could do. Today, such an infection could be readily treated with antibiotics. In 1924, with the discovery of penicillin still a few years away, doctors had to rely primarily on “the natural strength of a boy of 16” to save Calvin Jr. He held out longer than expected, but in the end, septicemia took his life.
News coverage of Calvin’s funeral emphasized the simplicity of the arrangements and the stoicism of the heartbroken president and first lady. They buried their son at the family plot in Plymouth Notch Cemetery in Vermont, avoiding the official pomp of a White House ceremony. “Unflinchingly, with heads erect, the President and Mrs. Coolidge stood before the rose-covered coffin at the grave” while prayers were read, according to the Washington Post. In the president’s hometown, factories suspended work and flags flew at half-staff. They were comforted by family and old friends at home before returning to Washington. White House staff and local residents mourned alongside the first family.
In this photograph, taken only a week before his death, Calvin Jr. (far left) poses with his parents, his older brother John, and one of their dogs, Rob Roy.
Credit: Library of Congress
20 West St
Northampton, MA
01060
PVTA to Academy of Music, walk north on Main St and left onto West St
| Monday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 16:00 - 19:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Send a message to Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum:
The David Ruggles Center for History and Educ
225 Nonotuck St, Florence