Contact: William W. Jenney

               Regional Historic Site Administrator

               802-672-3773; William.Jenney@state.vt.us

July 25, 2007

PLYMOUTH CELEBRATES OLD HOME DAY

PLYMOUTH NOTCH, Vt. – The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation will host “Plymouth Old Home Day” at the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site on Saturday August 4, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  This event unites town organizations and special guests in a festival of old-time music, historic craft and farm demonstrations, culinary treats, and other fun activities for the entire family.  

     First popular during the early years of the 20^th century, Plymouth Old Home Day in 2007 promises to be bigger and better than ever!  Scheduled activities include:

• “A Plymouth Notch Tea Party” - members of the Coolidge Foundation recreate three famous women of early Plymouth – 10:00
• Coolidge Homestead Rededication –  Governor Jim Douglas and the Coolidge family help to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Homestead as a state historic site - 11:00 
•  “Age of Coolidge Contest” awards – 12:30
• “The Presidency and A Sense of Place” – panel discussion by presidential scholars Gerry Jones, David Greenberg, and David Shribman – 1:00 
• “Women’s History in the Grace Coolidge Era” – presentation by Deborah Clifford (Vermont Women’s History Project) and Woden Teachout (instructor at Harvard & Middlebury Colleges) – 2:30    
• Old-time children’s games - organized by the Plymouth Elementary School
• Farm & Wilderness Camps musicians
• Fiddler Adam Boyce 
• Wagon rides and sheep shearing with Fred DePaul
• Chicken barbecue and bake sale to benefit the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department
• Traditional Vermont artisans – spinning, weaving & rug hooking (Fiber Arts in Vermont), Irene Ames (basket making),  Carolyn Guest (fancy paper cutting),
• Home-style cooking at the Wilder House Restaurant
• And more!

     The Coolidge Homestead rededication at 11:00 a.m. is an exciting addition to this year’s schedule.  2007 marks the 50^th anniversary of the Coolidge family’s gift of this National Historic Landmark to the State of Vermont.  “The ceremony will observe Calvin Coolidge’s famous recommendation for brevity,” says State Historic Preservation Officer Jane Lendway, who will officiate.  Governor Jim Douglas will accept the Homestead on behalf of the State from Christopher Jeter and Jennifer Harville, great-grandchildren of President Coolidge.  Noted historian Howard Coffin and other dignitaries will say a few words about the historic site’s enduring significance in today’s world.           

     Plymouth Old Home Day is the perfect opportunity to explore Plymouth Notch, considered one of the best-preserved presidential sites in the country.  Twelve buildings are open to the public including the Coolidge Homestead, Coolidge Birthplace, general store, village church, cheese factory (still making cheese using the original 1890 recipe), and 1924 Summer White House office.  An outstanding collection of early agricultural equipment is displayed in the Wilder Barns, and the Visitor Center has a new exhibit this year: “Climbing Ladder: Calvin Coolidge & Bay State Politics.” An admission is charged to tour the historic buildings, but most of the Plymouth Old Home Day activities are free and open to the public.

     For further information about Plymouth Old Home Day, call the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, 802-672-3773.  For information about Vermont’s state-owned historic sites, visit our website at www.HistoricVermont.org

THE VERMONT STATE HISTORIC SITES

History Where It Happened

-30-