This town in Vermont has its place in history as the boyhood home of President Calvin Coolidge. He was vacationing here when President Harding died and Coolidge as Vice President had to be sworn in as President. That happened in the middle of the night and his father who was a notary public did the swearing in ceremony.
Coolidge is the only President born on the 4th of July. Apparently there's a tradition that flowers are placed on Presidents' graves on their birthdays with full military honors.
Below is his mother's home. She died when Coolidge was only 12.
The church was built in 1840.
Coolidge's one room school stood on this site but was replaced with this one in 1890. He graduated from 8th grade in 1885.
Coolidge moved to this house when he was four.
We had a very knowledgeable guide. He couldn't take us through the house but we could walk through on our own social distancing from others.
Another president from Vermont is Chester Arthur but I understand his birthplace may be more difficult to find. In New Hampshire the only president the state can lay claim to is Franklin Pierce. We'll save that trip to his historic site for another time.
You are certainly learning about and appreciating your new habitat, and I like it too.
ReplyDeleteCalvin Coolidge is a descendant of one John Coolidge from Cottenham, Cambridgeshire (just a few miles from me), who left England for the New World in 1630. When the church tower needed repair President Coolidge was among the contributors.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to learn the history of a new area when you move. I hope you got to sample some of that artisan cheese.
ReplyDeleteExcellent way to learn about your new place and a great excuse to go a few places.
ReplyDeleteIt must be exciting exploring all these new areas and historical sites.
ReplyDeleteHi Marcia! Thank you for sharing this. Since I’m on lock down here in Hawaii, it’s especially fun for me to see the interesting places you are able to go to.
ReplyDelete...now this is New England!!!
ReplyDeleteVery cool. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for an informative post about a place we have not visited, but now may well do so on a future road trip. Looks like you had great colors too on your day trip.
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