CALVIN COOLIDGE HOMESTEAD in

PLYMOUTH NOTCH, VERMONT 05056

Coolidge Cup National Debate Tournament Join the Coolidge Foundation for the 2020 Coolidge Cup! Fourth of July Celebration Come celebrate the birth of both our nation and our thirtieth president at Plymouth Notch, the birthplace of Calvin Coolidge. Help the Coolidge Foundation build a digital archive of the speeches of Calvin Coolidge by becoming a "Coolidge Scribe" today.

https://www.coolidgefoundation.org

This majestic 17 room Plymouth farmhouse was built in 1868/1869 by James Smith Brown, this author's great great great grandfather. James and "Maria" farmed for their whole lives and sent many products all over, including Boston. This farmhouse is now owned by the state of Vermont. It is well-cared for and sits on the corner of route 100A and the road to the Coolidge Homestead. Unfortunately it is not open to the public.

Polly "Maria" Taylor Brown & James Smith Brown Homestead in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. Built in 1868/1869. Maria (seated far left in chair) helped to deliver Calvin Coolidge on July 4, 1872. Old Plymouth farm families were very close. Maria and James had 8 children and Maria was looked upon as "a natural nurse." She was known to have a ready sympathy for those in trouble. Six generations of these families lie buried in the Plymouth Notch Cemetery, which is a section of the Brown ancestral farm

The farmhand kneeling with the dog was Hyde R. Leslie and he is noted to have kept a diary of working on the farm. The diary is not known to be published. One excerpt notes: "Hyde R. Leslie was born in Plymouth in 1852. His diary is a window to the past- he recorded the weather, his daily tasks, as well as the joys and sorrows of the Plymouth community. He began work on April 6, 1887: "Windy day Thawed just a little First day of work for Mr. James S. Brown this season at the rate of $17 a month for 8 months or $136 or 65 5/10 cents a day."

Calvin Coolidge at Plymouth Notch, Vermont. This photo was probably taken when he was Vice President of the United States. Coolidge is wearing his grandfather's frock, a practical farmer's garment dating from the mid 19th century. President Coolidge was obliged to giving up wearing the frock because the press believed this was a "made-up" costume. The frock is now preserved in the Coolidge Homestead.