Tuesday, July 4, 10 a.m.—PLYMOUTH NOTCH— Join the long-standing celebration to commemorate the Fourth of July and birthday of President Calvin Coolidge at his birthplace in Plymouth Notch. Recognized as a “Top 10 Summer Event” by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, this year’s festivities are scheduled for 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Welcome 20 of America’s newest citizens following a naturalization ceremony at 10 a.m. with Judge J. Garvan Murtha presiding. At noon, a Vermont National Guard delegation will lead a parade to the Plymouth Notch Cemetery, where a wreath from the White House will be placed at President Coolidge’s grave site in recognition of his 145th birthday. Descendants of Calvin and Grace Coolidge will join the cemetery ceremony. After the wreath-laying ceremony, feast on the traditional Fourth of July barbecue at the Wilder House and enjoy a Coolidge birthday cake.
Join the activities including wagon rides with Fred DePaul, music by the Stringfield Springers old time string band, cheese making at the Plymouth Cheese Factory, children’s games on the Aldrich House lawn, and an exhibit of the Plymouth Historical Society’s one-room schoolhouse. Syndicated columnist Cal Thomas will interview Tracy Messer, the new Calvin Coolidge impersonator in the church at 1 p.m.
Guests can also participate in a marathon reading of Coolidge’s autobiography following the interview and watch the Coolidge Cup National Debate Tournament from 2-4:30 p.m. For information about the naturalization ceremony, debate tournament, or to be a reader at the autobiography marathon, call 802-672-3389.
Twelve buildings are open for tours at the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, which is owned and operated by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.
An honored National Historic Landmark, Plymouth Notch is one of the best-preserved presidential sites in the United States. The site is located at 3780 VT-100A, Plymouth. For more information, call 802-672-3773 or visit historicsites.vermont.gov.
