July 4th Coolidge Birthday Celebration – A Top 10 Summer Event
PLYMOUTH NOTCH, Vt. – On the Fourth of July, the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site celebrates the birth of our nation as well as the birthday of our 30th president. Special activities are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Calvin Coolidge is the only U.S. president born on Independence Day, an event commemorated at his birthplace in Plymouth Notch since the 1930s. This year the celebration has been selected as a “Top 10 Summer Event” by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
The day begins with an inspiring reading of the Declaration of Independence in the Union Christian Church at 9:00 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend a Naturalization Ceremony – the induction of 20 new U.S. citizens – at 10:00 a.m. All are invited to gather at the village green at 12:00 p.m., when a Vermont National Guard delegation leads a march to the Plymouth Notch Cemetery. A wreath from the White House will be placed at the president’s gravesite; a brief ceremony follows with members of the Coolidge family in attendance.
After the cemetery program, enjoy the barbecue offered by the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department. Later, join us for a slice of Coolidge birthday cake!
Ongoing activities include wagon rides, the Stringfield Springers old-time string band, cheese sampling at the factory, children’s games on the Aldrich House lawn, and the Plymouth Historical Society’s “The Villages of Old Plymouth” exhibit. The championship round of the Coolidge Cup National Debate Tournament starts at 1:00p.m., and Calvin Coolidge reenactor, Tracy Messer, presents “Recollections of 1919: The Boston Police Strike” at 3:00p.m. For more information about the Declaration of Independence reading, Naturalization Ceremony, and Debate Tournament, contact the Coolidge Foundation at 802-672-3389.
At the Museum & Education Center, visitors can see the award-winning permanent exhibition, More Than Two Words: The Life and Legacy of Calvin Coolidge. This year’s temporary exhibit, Presidential Menagerie: The Coolidges and Their Pets, examines the important role animals played in the private life and public image of the Coolidge family. The pet exhibit was funded with generous support from the Alma Gibbs Donchian Foundation.
For further information and event listings, visit us online at www.historicsites.vermont.gov and on Facebook at Vermont State Historic Sites.
Photo: National Guard Community March to Wreath Ceremony
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About the Division for Historic Preservation
The Vermont State Historic Sites are owned and operated by the Division for Historic Preservation, which is part of the Department of Housing and Community Development. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) works to support vibrant and resilient communities, promote safe and affordable housing for all, protect the state’s historic resources, and improve the quality of life for Vermonters.
About the Agency of Commerce and Community Development
The mission of ACCD is to help Vermonters improve their quality of life and build strong communities. ACCD accomplishes this mission by providing grants, technical assistance, and advocacy through three divisions: The Department of Economic Development, the Department of Tourism and Marketing, and the Department of Housing and Community Development. For more information on ACCD please visit: accd.vermont.gov