U.S. President Calvin Coolidge Historic Site
Visit the Plymouth Notch, Vermont, Homestead of the 30th President
Mar 31, 2008
Calvin Coolidge was unlike any other American president of the twentieth century. A Vermont Yankee through and through, he is characterized as a man of few words who never lost his Vermont thriftiness, industriousness, or love of his home state. He loved the community where he grew up and was a regular visitor throughout his life.
Presidential Village
The Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, is one of the best preserved presidential sites in America. Now overseen by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, it encompasses the entire village where Coolidge grew up.
There are fifteen places to see in Plymouth Notch including Coolidge’s birthplace, the church, the cheese factory, the general store, and the school.
Sworn in by Candlelight
Coolidge was not originally elected as President. He became President upon the unexpected death of President Harding. Coolidge was visiting his father in Plymouth Notch when he learned in the middle of the night of Harding’s death.
Because Coolidge’s father was a longstanding notary public, it was determined he was qualified to swear in his son as President of the United States. And so he did. By kerosene lamp in the middle of the night, in the sitting room of the Coolidge home, Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as President by his father. The swearing in was witnessed by Coolidge’s wife, his stenographer, his chauffer, and Senator Dale who happened to be in the general area at the time.
The Coolidge Historic Site has gone to great lengths to preserve the Coolidge Homestead exactly as it was in 1923 when Coolidge was sworn in as President. Visitors can walk through the home and view each room, furnished with the belongings of the President and his father.
Summer White House
Coolidge returned often to Vermont to rest and visit with his father. During the summer of 1924, he set up his Summer White House in the large vaulted room over the General Store owned by his father. Known as Coolidge Hall, it was often used for dances and other social activities. Attached to the General Store is the home where Coolidge was born before the family relocated to the Coolidge Homestead across the street.
Coolidge Graveyard
Calvin Coolidge was a simple man and preferred to be buried where he was born. The President was buried in the Plymouth Notch graveyard containing the resting places of seven generations of Coolidges. People may visit the graveyard which is located adjacent to the village of Plymouth Notch.
The Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site office is open year round. The village is open from late May through mid October.
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