-
Memorial tribute to Coolidge by Henry P. Field
Calvin Coolidge died at his home, “The Beeches” in Northampton on January 5, 1933. Upon Coolidge’s death, The Daily Hampshire Gazette published this tribute to Coolidge from Henry P. Field on January 7, 1933. Calvin Coolidge studied law in the Office of Hammond & Field 1895-1897. Henry P. Field, lawyer, Mayor of Northampton, Judge, Forbes Library Trustee, was a great influence in Calvin’s legal and political career.
“This American nation and peoples beyond our borders and across the seas will mourn his departure, but here at home, his home and ours, his death comes as a grievous personal loss. We all knew his fine character, his kindness and consideration for others, his exceptional abilities, his genius for government, his strong common sense, his keen sense of humor. We all knew that he had the courage and perseverance of his Puritan ancestors and their firm and abiding faith. And we also knew how unpretentious he was, how eager to avoid all display. And yet this quiet, unostentatious friend and fellow citizen of ours retired from the Presidency the most highly esteemed and most popular man in all these United States, and in doing so he was passed from this world into a better one. He filled all his many public offices to the entire satisfaction of the people. They trusted him. They felt that in his hands their government was safe. His life has been of infinite value to this country and the nation knows the seriousness of its loss. But to us at home the loss is more intimate. In all the long history of this good city he was its most distinguished citizen, and here in his home town he made life better and finer for every one who came within his influence.”
-
Calvin Coolidge July 4, 1872-January 5, 1933
John Calvin Coolidge
July 4, 1872-January 5, 1933Calvin Coolidge died in his home, “The Beeches,” in Northampton on January 5, 1933 at the age of 60 of heart disease. Coolidge was at his office at 25 Main Street in the morning and returned home for lunch. He was found on the floor of his dressing room at 12:25 pm by his wife Grace after she had returned home from shopping in downtown Northampton.
His funeral was held in Northampton at the Edwards Church on January 7 officiated by Rev. Albert Penner. The Daily Hampshire Gazette on January 7, 1933 reported that a special train from Washington, D.C. arrived to Northampton at 10 a.m. with 45 mourners including President and Mrs. Hoover, Vice-President Curtis and Chief Justice Hughes and members of Congress, Cabinet and old political and personal friends. The Washington delegation returned by train at Noon. Immediately following the Northampton funeral, 9 cars led by a police motorcycle traveled to Plymouth, Vermont where the President was buried.
-
Support for Libraries
There is nothing cozier than curling up in your favorite blanket with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate. When the cold weather persuades you to stay indoors, make sure you have your tools at the ready.
“…An individual may make progress without books, but the people as a whole are dependent on them. Where there is the most leisure and the least outside diversion the need for books and the benefits from them are greatest. Provision for…libraries would be a public service of the first importance.”
From “Calvin Coolidge Says” a syndicated newspaper column April 30, 1931
Forbes Library thanks you for your support.
-
“Mr. President!”
“You have to stand everyday three or four hours for visitors. Nine-tenths of them want something they ought not to have. If you keep dead-still they will run down in three or four minutes. If you even cough or smile they will start up all over again.”
Advice to President-elect Herbert Hoober in 1929; The Memoirs of Herbert Hoover: The Cabinet and the Presidency, 1920-1933, 1952
Can you imagine how President Obama is faring?
-
Coolidge Goes “Green”
Today, everyone is interested in the environmental issues facing us in the 21st century. In 1920, Coolidge was already speaking about our country’s level of resource consumption.
“Diminishing resources warn us of the necessity of conservation. The public domain is the property of the public. It is held in trust for present and future generations. The material resources of our contry are great, very great, but they are not inexhaustible.”
Speech accepting the vice presidential nomination, Northampton, Massachusetts, July 27, 1920
-
A century ago, Mayor Cal showed his ‘cool’
Bob Flaherty: A century ago, Mayor Cal showed his ‘cool’
November 3, 2009 | Daily Hampshire Gazette (Northampton, MA)
Author: BOB FLAHERTY | Section: Local News -
VOTE!!!
Tuesday November 3 is election day in Northampton!
For more information and a specimen ballot see http://www.northamptonma.gov/cityclerk/Elections/November_3_2009_Election_Candidates/The Coolidge Museum has been asked, “what would Calvin do?”
The answer is a simple one. Calvin Coolidge would tell his constituents to get out and vote, to care about their government, and to exercise their duty as citizens. As you make your decision whether or not to go to the polls and then how to vote, remember the words of Calvin Coolidge, “We have a tendency to be too indifferent before primaries and elections and too critical after. Public officers can and do exercise large influence over our daily life but the main course of events is in our own hands.” From a November 4, 1930 newspaper column
-
Coolidge on Columbus Day
“…The glory of [Columbus’] exploit, great as it was, becomes almost unimportant when compared with its results. It marked the inception of the modern era. The minds of men were opened to new thoughts… The arts began to flourish… A new age appeared, great in captains, admirals, statesmen, poets and philosophers, and finally new nations dedicated to human freedom arose on this side of the Atlantic. These are partly the reasons why Christopher Columbus is entitled to be honored.”
From “Calvin Coolidge Says” a syndicated newspaper column October 11, 1930
Happy Columbus Day!
-
Happy Anniversary, Calvin and Grace!
Today marks the 104th wedding anniversary of Calvin and Grace Coolidge. They were wed on October 4, 1905 in Burlington, Vermont.
“A man who has the companionship of a lovely and gracious woman enjoys the supreme blessing that life can give. And no citizen of the United States knows the truth of this statement more than I.”
Calvin Coolidge’s comment to friend, Bruce Barton, in 1926
-
Americanism
“Whether one traces his Americanism back three centuries to the Mayflower, or three years to the steerage, is not half so important as whether his Americanism of today is real and genuine. No matter by what various crafts we came here, we are all now in the same boat.”
Presidential address to the American Legion convention, Omaha, Nebraska, October 6, 1925