Merry Christmas

"Christmas represents love and mercy... Christmas holds its place in the hearts of men because they know that love is the greatest thing in the world. Christmas is celebrated in its true spirit only by those who make some sacrifice for the benefit of their fellow men."

From "Calvin Coolidge Says" a syndicated newspaper column December 24, 1930

Holiday Cheer

As the holidays approach, make sure to spread some holiday cheer!

"A surplus of avarice and hate has been produced when the nations needed more forbearance and generosity. The holidays are helping each of us to supply some of this universal demand."

From "Calvin Coolidge Says" a syndicated newspaper column December 24, 1930

Favorite Calvin Coolidge Quotes

"The main value of a wage earner is his mind."

From "Calvin Coolidge Says" a syndicated newspaper column September 23, 1930

"Common sense is saving the day."

From "Calvin Coolidge Says" a syndicated newspaper column February 27, 1930

"When people work together, nothing is impossible."

From "Calvin Coolidge Says" a syndicated newspaper column March 3, 1931

"Every life needs more light."

From "Calvin Coolidge Says" a syndicated newspaper column April 21, 1931

Coolidge's First Radio Address

Calvin Coolidge's first address broadcast to the public on the radio was an address to Congress on December 6, 1923. Here is a New York Times article about the public reaction to hearing the President speak.

Calvin Coolidge on Good Health

As the winter progresses, try to keep warm, cozy up, and stay healthy. Remember Calvin Coolidge's wise words on health:

"Because illness makes us a liability to ourselves, our family and our community, we all have a personal obligation to keep well. To neglect the health is one of the most wasteful things a person can do. It is a violation of a moral duty... If we would all think and try to live healthful lives we would greatly increase the power of the nation."

From "Calvin Coolidge Says" a syndicated newspaper column August 9, 1930

Happy Thanksgiving

"On this day, in home and church, in family and in public gatherings, the whole nation has for generations paid the tribute due from grateful hearts for blessings bestowed."

From Calvin Coolidge's 1923 Thanksgiving Proclamation

Happy Thanksgiving

Governor Calvin Coolidge along with wife Grace and sons Calvin and John raise the US and Massachusetts flags on the lawn of their Massasoit Street, Northampton, Mass. home on Thanksgiving Day, 1919.

Coolidge Museum video

The Coolidge Museum is featured in the Springfield Republican newspaper's Favorite Places! There was a story on the front page of the October 27 local section and there is a 3 1/2 minute video on the newspaper's website, Mass Live.
The video features an introduction to the museum and highlights from its collection.
See http://videos.masslive.com/republican/2008/10/calvin_coolidge_presidential_l.html

Vote!

Tuesday September 16 is primary day in Massachusetts.
As you get out and vote, remember these words of Calvin Coolidge:

"The Right to vote is the very essence of 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"

From "Calvin Coolidge Says" a syndicated newspaper column August 15, 1930

George Bean auction listing Coolidge estate sale 1936

Summer 1926

The Summer White House in 1926 was located at White Pine Camp in New York's Adirondack Mountains.

Here Calvin, Grace and dogs enjoy a walk.

Today White Pine is still a lakeside retreat and the President's cabins are available for rent:

http://www.whitepinecamp.com/

Happy Birthday Calvin!

Happy 4th of July and Happy Birthday to Calvin Coolidge!

Fishing was a favorite Birthday activity of Calvin Coolidge!

While vacationing in the Black Hills, South Dakota area in 1927, Coolidge spent his 55th Birthday fishing (see photo at right).

In his Autobiography, when describing how his family celebrated holidays, Coolidge related that "the Fourth of July meant a great deal to me, because it was my birthday. The first one I can remember was when I was four years old. My father took me fishing in the meadow brook in the morning. I recall that I fell in the water, after which we had a heavy thundershower, so that we both came home very wet. Usually there was a picnic celebration on that day."

The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge. NY: Cosmopolitan Books, 1929. p.28

This sticker and slogan was used during the 1924 Presidential campaign.

This artifact is a great representation for the heat wave sweeping most of the nation this week. Today in Northampton, MA it is 97 degrees with over 50% humidity (feels like 101).

The Forbes Library's AC is running beautifully so if you don't have AC at home, it is a great time to come in and cool down while reading some Coolidge materials!

The changes in New England weather are hard for any HVAC system to keep up with and I am happy to report that the Coolidge collections are happily residing at about 68-70 degrees with just under 40% humidity.

Summer Exhibit in Plymouth Notch

Check out the Summer Exhibit at Plymouth Notch, Vermont!
CCPLM has loaned a Northampton ballot box, 3 badges and 1 ticket from the 1924 convention and some reproduction photographs to this exhibit.

Campaign Fever '24! The 1924 presidential campaign is considered to be the first modern election; it is also one of the most unusual in American history. With little active participation on the part of the President, the Coolidge-Dawes ticket overwhelmed the competition and achieved the largest plurality until that time. This exhibition examines the "Keep Cool-idge" phenomenon and the competition's efforts to unseat this popular, but enigmatic Yankee politician. May 24 - October 19. Located at the Coolidge Visitor Center Museum, President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, Plymouth Notch, VT. The exhibition features objects from the site's permanent collection, as well as rare campaign memorabilia and images from private and public collections including the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum.
For more information see http://www.historicvermont.org/coolidge/

Memorial Day Quote

From "Calvin Coolidge Says" May 29, 1931

Decoration Day is our best solemn national holiday which ought to be observed with impressive ceremony. No lapse or diminution should be permitted in the yearly devotion which the people pay to the memory of those who have served in our armed forces.
As the ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic who established Memorial Day fade away, there is danger that its observance will be obscured in other more recent events. The principle involved must not be obscured. The day is sacred to the memory of all the dead who wore our uniform, from the earliest Indian wars to the present hour. In honoring their memory we are not glorifying war. We are a peaceful nation; our efforts led in securing the world treaty renouncing war as a national policy. But we honor their memory that we may glorify citizenship.
They were the antithesis of selfish individualism, merging freedom and even chance of life in the common welfare of country. In danger, choosing the course that really counts, they preserved their rights by discharging their duties. No nation can live which cannot command that kind of service. No people worthy of such service will fair to do it in reverence.

Photo of the week 5/3/08

Calling all baseball fans!

As Governor and President, Calvin Coolidge often threw out the first pitch, however, it was First Lady Grace Coolidge that was the baseball fan in the family.

In this photo, Calvin Coolidge is shaking hands with a baseball player. It is labeled "Coolidge and the MVP." Do you know who this player is and when and where this photo was taken?

Photo of the week

Calvin Coolidge with dogs Rob Roy and Tiny Tim on the porch of his home at 21 Massasoit Street in Northampton, Mass. Photo by Eric Stahlberg.

Quote of the week 4/24/08

“In spite of all the other facilities books are the principal permanent repository of knowledge and culture.”

This quote is from the syndicated newspaper column “Calvin Coolidge Says” April 30, 1931.
In retirement, Coolidge wrote over 300 columns from 1930 to 1931. To read more of these, check your local library for the book Calvin Coolidge Says: Dispatches Written by Former President Coolidge and Syndicated to Newspapers in 1930-1931 with an introduction by Edward Connery Lathem and published by the Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation in 1972.

Welcome

Welcome to the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum blog!
The CCPLM is located at Forbes Library in Northampton, Massachusetts
Visit us on the web at http://www.forbeslibrary.org