President Calvin Coolidge is one of those U.S. Presidents that most people know little about. Since he was
a Vice President who assumed office when President Harding died, and, presided over a period of
prosperity, his term in office was mostly unnoteworthy. Coolidge is the only U.S. President born on the
Fourth of July (although two died on that date). In fact, Coolidge was born in a bed that is on display in
the Plymouth house he lived in until the age of four. And, the room in which his father the notary public
swore him in as President is also on display in Plymouth. Coolidge was sworn in a second time in Washington. Until
President Obama was sworn in twice, Coolidge was the only President to have taken the oath more than once
for the same term of office.
The state of Vermont has title to the several buildings that once belonged to the Coolidge family. The two
houses that his parents lived in when they were children still stand nearby. Other buildings in the immediate
area include a cheese factory, the post office and a small series of buildings that at one time were rented
out like a hotel and were used by Secret Service agents when President Coolidge was in town.
Volunteers give guided tours of the two houses where Coolidge lived when in Plymouth. Since they are volunteers,
they are short on their knowledge of many things they are showing their tourists. But they do know many facts,
some of which are on the video that is continually shown in the old barn with the collection of carriages.
A refurbished visitors center that has been expanded with a museum area will open in August 2010. The staff is
looking forward to what that will allow them to do for the visitors to the facilities.