Courtesy of William Jenney
President Calvin Coolidge lights the first National Tree in Washington, D.C., 1923.
Anne Collins, Vermont culinary author, among the special guests
Saturday, Dec. 5 at 10 a.m.—PLYMOUTH NOTCH—Celebrate the traditions of the season at Plymouth Notch — one of Vermont’s most picturesque villages — on Saturday, Dec. 5 when the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site hosts the “Coolidge Holiday Open House.”
Many of the museum buildings, including the homestead where President Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as president of the United States, will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Coolidge Birthplace will be decorated as it would have been in 1872, the year the future president was born. The event is free and features special presentations and a variety of family activities.
An Open House highlight will be a presentation by Anne Collins, author of the new book,“Vintage Pies: Classic American Pies for Today’s Home Baker.” At 2 p.m., Collins will talk about some of the pies that were popular in days of yore, and will bring samples of her favorites: mincemeat, squash and Marlborough (apple custard). Copies of her book will be available for signing.
Steve Morse of Montpelier will perform holiday organ and piano music throughout the day and will lead caroling in the village church at 1:30 p.m. Site Administrator Bill Jenney will offer tours of the Coolidge Homestead at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Other activities include:
- 1920s Hat Fashion Show at 3 p.m. organized by the Black River Academy Museum, Calvin Coolidge’s alma mater. A prize will be awarded to the guest wearing the best “Great Winter Hat.”
- Horse-drawn sleigh (or wagon) rides with Fred DePaul
- Cheese making and warm Glögg (spiced wine) tasting at the cheese factory. Plymouth Artisan Cheese’s gift boxes will be for sale–selected by Oprah Winfrey as one of her 2015 holiday favorites.
- Children’s activities: make a holiday paper lantern to brighten winter nights; enjoy hands-on history activities with the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation.
- Wreath making with Terry Gulick. Sales of finished wreaths to benefit the Coolidge Site’s garden fund.
- Traditional craft demonstrations–spinning, fancy paper cutting, theorem painting, hand-painted ornaments, paper quilling, rug hooking, creating holiday cards from nature, and stenciled notepaper
- Stocking stuffers and more at the museum stores. Check out our big end-of-season sale!
- Special holiday postal cancellation (1p.m. – 4 p.m.)–the newest design by John Lutz
- Homemade & hearty lunch served at the Wilder House Restaurant
The Coolidge Holiday Open House is also the last chance to see the acclaimed 2015 temporary exhibit, “First Lady Grace Coolidge: A Glass of Fashion.” This exhibit examines the height of 1920s style and features Grace’s gowns, jewelry, evening bags, and other elaborate accessories typical of this stylish era. Because of the fragile nature of the textiles, it will be many years before these items are back on display.
For further information, call 802-672-3773, or visit www.HistoricSites.Vermont.gov/Coolidge
