Visiting the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site

President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site is in rural central Vermont, near the tiny community of Plymouth Notch. The park preserves the birthplace and childhood home of the 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge.

We pulled into the empty parking lot about 30 minutes after sunrise on an overcast early fall afternoon. The hills’ leaves were barely starting to show signs of changing colors. It was a cool but humid morning. The Mrs. and I were technically there before the park opened. Nothing was gated off, so we decided to walk through.

Exploring the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site

The park is a historic village. “This has to look nearly identical to when Coolidge was here,” I told my wife. “It’s kind of like walking back through time,” she replied.

The buildings have been restored to look like it did when Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872. We walked by many historic buildings lining the road: an old church where the Coolidge family attended. A flag marks their pew. We also saw his birthplace, a homestead, a barn, and an old cheese factory. A park employee was moving from building to building, opening them up. We got to peek in quite a few before we had to leave.

Some signs gave some context to Coolidge’s life here. Coolidge only lived there until his early teens, when he went away for an education. His home would always hold a special place in his heart for the rest of his life. He would often return to visit family and vacation in his treasured area.

“I love Vermont because of her hills and valleys, her scenery and invigorating climate, but most of all, because of her indomitable people. They are a race of pioneers who have almost beggared themselves to serve others. If the spirit of liberty should vanish in other parts of the union and support of our institutions should languish, it could all be replenished from the generous store held by the people of this brave little state of Vermont.” – Calvin Coolidge.

Coolidge was sworn in as President in his childhood home

After President Warren G. Harding died in office, Calvin Coolidge, his Vice President, was sworn in as president in the parlor of his family home on August 3, 1923. The event brought media attention from around the world. The following year, Coolidge used the homestead as his Summer White House.

This stop was definitely worth it. We had to leave before the official opening but still very much enjoyed it. Next time we are in the area, we will for sure check out the visitor center and museums and hope to go on a tour.

“Vermont is a state I love. I could not look upon the peaks of Ascutney, Killington, Mansfield and Equinox without being moved in a way that no other scene could move me. It was here that I first saw the light of day; here I received my bride; here my dead lie pillowed on the loving breast of our everlasting hills.” – Calvin Coolidge.

Visit President Calvin Coolidge’s Grave

President Calvin Coolidge was true to his word. He passed away on January 5, 1933, and now rests in the Plymouth Notch Cemetery near his childhood home. After leaving the site, we stopped to visit his grave. His grave is modest and unassuming and certainly worth stopping if you see the homestead.