Contact: William W. Jenney

               Regional Historic Site Administrator

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

GRAND OPENING OF NEW COOLIDGE EXHIBITION – “More Than Two Words” Brings Former President To Life

PLYMOUTH NOTCH, Vt. -- A major permanent exhibition opens at the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site on Saturday June 9.  The public is invited to join Governor Peter Shumlin, Coolidge family members when the ribbon is cut, opening this state of the art display at the new Coolidge Museum & Education Center.  

     The brief ceremony starts at 10:00 a.m., followed by a day-long celebration with wagon rides, chicken barbecue, free tours of the museum buildings, cheese & wine tasting at the Plymouth Cheese Factory, traditional craft demonstrations, children’s activities, old-time country music, and more!   

     “More Than Two Words”: The Life and Legacy of Calvin Coolidge, is a dynamic look at how a boy from rural Plymouth Notch became President of the United States. The highly interactive exhibit is designed to appeal to visitors of all ages, providing an intimate and personal look into the life of the 30^th President. 

     Calvin Coolidge is brought to life through objects, photographs, newsreels, personal correspondence, political cartoons, and the masterful work of Jim Cooke, the actor acclaimed for his insightful portrayal of the 30^th U.S. President.  Mr. Cooke’s narrations of important writings and speeches provide a voice and image when Coolidge himself was not recorded.

     Visitors will leave the exhibit with a better understanding of this President from the ‘Roaring Twenties’ and why he and his personal and political philosophies are still relevant.  They will                

·         Learn about “Lucky Lindy’s” famous flight over the Atlantic Ocean

·         See an old newsreel taken when former President & Mrs. Coolidge meet Santa

·         Find photographs of Calvin Coolidge wearing an old-time farm garment call a frock, and then see the real frock in the Coolidge Homestead

·         Learn about Grace Coolidge’s many interests and her role as “First Lady” 

·         Learn about the Coolidge sons, John and Calvin Jr. and discover why John and his wife Florence were so important to Plymouth Notch

·         Find out what President Coolidge really thought about Prohibition, the constitutional amendment that outlawed liquor

·         See a small chest of drawers Calvin made when he attended Black River Academy.  He also made a fancy quilt when he was ten years old – on display elsewhere in the historic village.   

     The exhibit is the culmination of several years of planning and research by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, which owns and operates the Coolidge Site.  Following a competitive bid process, the project was awarded to Media-FX and Group DES of Montreal, a design team internationally recognized for its innovative interpretive displays.  Some of their work can also be seen at the Mount Independence State Historic Site in Orwell.       

     The President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site is open May 26 - October 14, 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., daily.  For further information, contact the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, 802-672-3773, or visit the state-owned historic sites online at http://historicsites.vermont.gov  

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