President Calvin Coolidge, Plymouth Notch VT., 7/15/2013

As I told you I stayed last night in a Best Western in Rutland, Vermont. This was a vary new motel and very nice except for not being able to connect to the Internet. They knocked off a few bucks for that which I appreciated.

The Motel Is Made Up Of The Main Building And Four

Units Like This One Where Lady Blue is Parked

After breakfast and posting the Blog I drove back over to Plymouth Notch, Vermont. This is a very beautiful area of Vermont in fact I would say all areas are beautiful. One of the things that adds to the beauty is they do not allow bill boards along the side of the roads. You just have the typical sign that will tell you there is gas, food, bed at the next exit and they do this with symbols. No brand names are mentioned. There is a problem with this. If you want a particular motel you have to know where it is in advance other wise you just get off the road and take your chance on what you will find. This inconvenience is better than constantly seeing all the big glaring signs. Plymouth Notch is the birth place of John Calvin Coolidge, thirtieth President of the United States. He served as president from 1923 to 1929. President Coolidge is the only president born on the 4th of July and the year was 1872.  President Coolidge's father ( Calvin ) was a farmer and he owned the General Store in the community. Calvin Coolidge held to some very basic out look on life hard work - public service - and love of God, and family. His father also served in the military. President Coolidge shared these values in his life. In fact, President Coolidge was born in a tiny bedroom in the back of his father's general store. The house in which he was raised is just across the street. Another interesting fact is that in August 1923 while Vice President he was sworn in as President of the United States by his father who was a Notary Public. I don't know of any other presidents who were sworn in by a Notary Public. He was asked him how he knew that he could administer the oath of office to swear Calvin in as president - his father replied " no one told me I couldn't " or as some tell the story " I didn't know I couldn't ". Plymouth Notch, Vermont is the site of the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site. The state of Vermont formed a division for Historic Preservation which owns and maintains the entire historic village. The site has about two dozen buildings and 500 acres of land. In 1970 The Plymouth Notch Historic District was formed which includes the State Historic Site and it became a registered National Historic Landmark.

 

Located in the State Historic Site is the President Coolidge birthplace , the Coolidge Homestead, Homes of Coolidge's family and friends, the Community Dance Hall which was used as the Summer White House in 1924, the Plymouth Cheese Factory, and many other buildings preserved as they were in the early 20th century. The Cheese Factory still uses the original recipe to make the traditional " Plymouth Cheese ". The recipe is from 1890. There are two barns that house a collection of farm equipment from the late 19th century and the early 20th century. The Union Christian Church located in historic district is owned by the Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation and the Plymouth Notch Cemetery. President and Mrs. Coolidge along with seven generations of family members lie in the Village Cemetery. President Coolidge died Jan 5, 1933 in North Hampton, Massachusetts. I hope to visit the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum in North Hampton, Massachusetts as the last stop when Jim and I head back home.  There are a lot of other facts I would like to share with you but I will include them in the blog telling about the visit to the museum and library. You know there is one item I enjoyed. You know you heard jokes about and attempt to imitate people who live in the North East and how President Coolidge was a man of few words. President Coolidge was one of those people so much so that he was often referred to as " Silent Cal ". This manner of his often led to him being thought of as ineffective and indecisive. There was a story that was frequently told of a Washington hostess who was most vocal at a dinner party at which President Coolidge was present. This hostess said that she bet she could make President Coolidge  say more than two words. When she tried President Coolidge simply replied " you loose ". I love it. The Man could think on his feet.

 

The remainder of this post will be photographs taken at the Coolidge State Historic Site and the Community Cemetery.

Entrance Sign

Visitor Center

The following photographs are from the Coolidge Museum And Education Center

The USS President Coolidge Sunk

USS President Coolidge Used As A Troop Ship

USS President Coolidge Sinking

USS President Coolidge Sinking

Missed Message To Avoid Danger

Troops Abandoning The USS President Coolidge

Account Of Evacuation

Loss Was A Blow To War Effort

USS President Coolidge Still Serving

Mrs. Coolidge And Make Up Kit

Statue Of President Coolidge. This Is Interactive And You Ask Questions And He Answers. You Can Hear His Voice. Of Course All Are Canned Questions.

One Room School Students 5 years through 18 years Learn At Their Own Pace

Painting Of Coolidge Being Sworn In As President Of The

United States At 2:47 A. M. August 3, 1923

Coolidge Becomes a Chief Of The Sioux

First Lady Of  Base Ball -- Mrs. Coolidge

Mrs Grace Coolidge-- Loved Base Ball

First Lady Of Base Ball

First Lady Of Base Ball

President Coolidge Gets Excited At Game

President And Wife Happy At Game

President Comments On Base Ball And Never Misses An Opportunity To Speak As A Politician

President Calvin Coolidge

President And Base Ball

President And Base Ball

President And Base Ball

 

Well folks I am getting so sleepy I can't tell which photographs I have worked with so I am going to bed as I have a long day tomorrow and a lot of driving. In this posting I have covered most of my general comments and the Coolidge Museum and Education Center. I will try to cover the rest of the building in the historic site tomorrow night so until then don't let the bed bugs bite and remember that God loves you and so do I.

 

Grandpa Bill