You by now know that I cannot get enough of the birthplace and home of our 30th President, Calvin Coolidge.
View into “town” from the Cheese Factory
I have visited this Vermont Historic Site six times in 2013, and each visit has been totally different. Both BLACK BEAUTY and BLUE BELLE have made the trek just for a road-trip, or to enjoy the quintessential Fourth of July Celebration that I will never again miss (unless out of the country). I traversed but an hour to attend a day archeology lecture/tour, and again just to see the fall colors. This historic site closed for the season on Columbus Day, but was open this one day for a holiday open house. Having
RAB and Tara
completed last evening our benefit production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL (with over $20,000 now raised in 6 years for area food shelves) my co-director and I escaped that pace to enjoy the serene and bucolic setting that is Plymouth Notch. It was a treat to get to chat for a few moments with the site director, Bill Jenney, who even remembered our emails, postings, and he recalled BLACK BEAUTY. Well, joining BLACK BEAUTY and BLUE BELLE to Plymouth Notch next year will be their new stable mate, LADY RAB, a 1931 Model A Ford Tudor Sedan.
Instead of inundating you with history and details I am just going to present you with a selection of the almost 70 images I took today during our visit. Enjoy, and do visit this most wonderful of spots in the country. But, then again, stay away so it remains the peaceful way of 19th century life. – PLEASE – remember to click on images to see them in a larger size.
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- Looking towards “town” with the President’s father’s general store.
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- Another view of the general stores – if you know me, you know I love 18th century general stores
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- View from our luncheon table
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- What I saw from lunch. Note the mittens drying by the fire.
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- Yes, you saw this Rocking Chair Study, albeit without snow, a few months ago
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- and, again.
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- The Summer White House – 1924
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- Room where Calvin Coolidge was born.
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- And, General Stores, a passion of mine.
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- Tara is learned about Calvin’s building the counter tops.
Coolidge home where Calvin was sworn in as our 30th President.
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- View from the church back to the Wilder House and historic barns.
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- Concert on the original Estey Organ in the Church
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- Cheese Factory – open year round – fascinating
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- Farm museum barns and historic marker.
Real horse drawn sleigh rides.
View looking back as leaving visitor center towards “town”
Color contrast from parking lot was “too” fantastic.
And on the way home outside Ludlow, Tara I found out is as good as an explorer as I am. “What is that,” she yelled out. “turn around, let’s find out what that Castle is all about!” And we toured the Castle Hill Resort and Spa. A fantastic 1905 mansion of a former Governor, the exquisite appointments are inviting. We were too early for dinner, but were invited to get comfortable in the library for a drink, wine, or tea. Not this time, but it is now “on the list.”
Too early tonight for dinner.
Entrance way at the Castle Hill Resort and Spa
I will probably say hi again before the holidays, but if not, MERRY CHRISTMAS. As always, yours, RAY
Outside the Castle — now, how can this compare to anywhere else??
Shunpiking with Ray 
Ray & Tara — Looks like a wonderful outing and a well-deserved one, after your labors on ACC. I’m told that ‘Silent Cal’ spent over two hours, alone, sitting in the Bellows Falls Train Station waiting to catch a connecting train south, shortly after having been sworn in earlier as President of the U.S. in Plymouth Notch. Could anyone imagine that happening today?!
Ray, the snow and sites are certainly beautiful this time of year. Did you take the sleigh ride?
Thanks for the tip to bring the photos larger. They are so beautiful.
What a fun day you had.
Hugs,
Marian
Congratulations on the monies raised. Great job.
Thanks for the pics. I have worked somewhere in the village for most of the 46 years I have lived in Plymouth. I was float on Dec 15, some time in the birthplace giving Jim a break. I remember seeing you folks.
I use to go up on that mountain in the 50’s and 60’s to a camp when I was a little girl. Glad to see that it has stayed the same. Such a beautiful area. Thanks for the pictures. Merry Christmas.
Sharlene Lambert Black, Lincoln Maine
Beautiful pictures, Ray. Really gets me in the spirit of Christmas!
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