Calvin Coolidge Walking Tour Preview

Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum

Forbes Library 20 West St. The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum is located on the 2nd floor. The Coolidge collection contains exhibits, papers, photographs, portraits, objects and memorabilia associated with the political and personal life of Calvin and Grace Coolidge. Hours are Monday 9-5pm, Tues 1-5 pm, Weds 4-9pm, Thurs 1-5pm or by appointment 413-587-1014.http://forbeslibrary.org/calvin-coolidge-presidential-library-and-museum/

Site of former Hammond and Field Law Office at 59 Main St.

Hammond & Field Law Office [site] former first national bank building 59 Main Street. It was here that Coolidge immersed himself in the study and practice of Law and were guided by the mentorship and friendship of John C. Hammond and Henry P. Field.

Masonic Building 21-29 Main Street

Coolidge's law office was located in the central portion of the Masonic Building from 1898-1918. The windows of this office are flanked by Ionic columns and decorated with griffins. It was built in 1898 and designed by architect R.F. Putnam.

John and Mary Lyman House 63 Center Street

John and Mary Lyman House 63 Center Street. Coolidge rented a room here from 1896-97 with the family of John Lyman, a local businessman who had previously served as a selectman in nearby Williamsburg and who was involved in local temperance politics.

5 Crescent Street.

This shingle-style home was the Coolidge’s first rental home as a couple from 1905-1906. It was the faculty house of Smith College Latin professor John Everett Brady, and the Coolidges lived here from November 1905 to August 1906 while Brady was on sick leave.

Adams House and Gawith Hall

Adams House 40 Round Hill Road. This set back structure was part of the Clarke school campus at the time Coolidge lived here from 1897 to 1905. It was the home of friend Robert Weir, former housemate of Coolidge at 63 Center St.,who was at the time the Steward of the Clarke School for the Deaf. It was while living here that Coolidge met Grace Goodhue. Legend has it that he first saw Grace in the garden below while looking out the window of Weir’s house. One version of this story has her spotting him in the window mid-shave, wearing only a derby hat and long underwear, which prompted her to laugh aloud, laughter which he heard and looked down and spotted Grace below. Grace was living at the time at Gawith Hall, a large 1871 dormitory closer to the road, more visible and to the right of Adams if you are facing the buildings from the street. It is currently being renovated and restored to be used as offices.

John C Hammond House 222 Elm Street

On the corner of Harrison and Elm (opposite Franklin Street) stands the vast Queen Anne structure once owned by John C. Hammond, who first employed Coolidge as a young attorney. Coolidge described Hammond in his biography: "The senior member of the law form was John C. Hammond, who was considered the leader of the Hampshire Bar. He was a lawyer of great learning and wide business experience...He was massive and strong rather than elegant, and placed great stress on accuracy."

21 Massasoit St. Coolidge Home

Coolidge Home at 21 Massasoit Street The Coolidge’s home from August 1906 until May 1930. It was about this house that Grace said “For most of us there is one spot on earth which is dearer than all others. For me it is here in this little nine-room cottage, which really is only half a house." The Coolidge's lived at 21 Massasoit before and after the presidency, on the left side of the duplex as you are facing the home from the street. It is a private residence today.

112 Washington Avenue

On the corner of Harrison and Elm (opposite Franklin Street) stands the vast Queen Anne structure once owned by John C. Hammond, who first employed Coolidge as a young attorney.

Road Forks 10 Ward Avenue

Mill River Trail

Grace Coolidge was fond of nature walks, especially this trail that leads back to the Smith Campus along the Mill River from near her home at Road Forks. In between Road Forks and 112 Washington Avenue you will see a dirt path descending toward the river. Follow the path and turn left when you reach the crosspath at the bottom. This will head you along the riverbank and back towards scenic Paradise Pond and end up near the Smith College Botanical Gardens.

Forbes Library 20 West Street

The tour concludes bu returnign to Forbes Library, which houses the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum. If you didn't have a chance to stop in at the beginning of the tour, do so now. The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum was established in 1920, when Massachusetts Governor and Vice-President Elect Calvin Coolidge began giving documents and memorabilia to Forbes Library, the public library for the city of Northampton, Massachusetts. During his Presidency and upon leaving the White House, additional materials were added including the Howard Chandler Christy portraits of Calvin Coolidge and his wife,Grace, and the infamous electric exercise horse. In 1956, acting upon the request of Grace Coolidge and Trustees of Forbes Library, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts granted funds to establish a “Calvin Coolidge Memorial Room” as a separate entity within the Forbes Library. Today, the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum at Forbes Library is the largest existing source of primary material on Calvin Coolidge and the only public library in the United States to hold a presidential collection.