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Plymouth, Vermont |
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Calvin Coolidge was born in this tiny Vermont hamlet not far from the intersection of Routes 100 and 100A, and you can visit the Coolidge Homestead and the Calvin Coolidge Birthplace. |
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The former president's early history is interesting, but the story of his inauguration is full of fascination. While he was vice president, Mr. Coolidge came to Plymouth for a vacation in August 1923. Before he could even unwind, news came that President Harding was dead, and that he, Calvin Coolidge, was the 30th president of the United States. But he had to take the oath of office! The local notary public in the tiny town was none other than the new president's own father, Col. John Coolidge, and it was Colonel John who—as the only judicial official handy—administered the oath to his son by the light of a kerosene lamp at 2:47am, August 3, 1923. You can visit the Homestead, the Birthplace, the Wilder Barn (a farmer's museum), the village church, the cemetery where President Coolidge is buried, Wilder House (once the home of Coolidge's mother), and the Plymouth Cheese Company. The historic site is open daily Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Distances: 14 miles (23 km) SW of Woodstock; 36 miles (58 km) N of Grafton; 10 miles (16 km) S of Killington. Follow US 4 west from Woodstock, then Route 100A; Route 100, the main north-south road through central Vermont, passes one mile west of Plymouth. |
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Above, sign of a
famous son in Plymouth VT.
The Calvin Coolidge birthplace in Plymouth. | |
