Readers, Welcome to my blog (formerly Birds, Blooms, Books, etc). I'm entering a new decade taking on the challenge of moving from Maryland after living there 46 years and learning about my new home here in New England in the Live Free or Die state - New Hampshire. Join me as a write this new chapter of my life.

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Plymouth Notch, Vermont

 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.