Hilltown Families 
Bridging History: Exploring the Legacy of Calvin Coolidge in Northampton
Exploring the Legacy of President Calvin Coolidge in Northampton
“The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum collects, preserves and makes available for research materials documenting the public and private life of Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933). Manuscripts, artifacts and exhibits cover his political career from Northampton to Boston to the White House and his post-presidential years as a Northampton resident.”
Ever cross the bridge over the Connecticut River that connects Hadley to Northampton? That’s the Calvin Coolidge Bridge named after President Coolidge who attended Amherst College and later moved to Northampton. The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum at the Forbes Library is also named for the U.S.’s 30th President. This museum houses a collection of materials related to Calvin Coolidge’s life and are available to historians and researchers interested in the public and private life of Calvin Coolidge.
Preserving History: The Formation of the Coolidge Collection
The Coolidge Collection was established in 1920 when Calvin Coolidge was Governor of Massachusetts. Coolidge began giving documents and memorabilia to the Forbes Library. This collection also includes two portraits, one of Coolidge and one of his wife Grace created by painter Howard Chandler Christy. The museum is available during the library’s open hours and by appointment.
Calvin Coolidge: A Journey from Amherst College to the Presidency
Calvin Coolidge attended Amherst College. In 1896, he ran for public office in Northampton and won the election for city council. In 1898, he ran for City Solicitor, an office he held for two years as a Republican. The following year, he opened a private practice as a lawyer. In 1906, Coolidge was nominated as the Republican nominee for the state House of Representatives and won. Then, Coolidge was a part of a progressive Republican party, voting for women’s suffrage and the direct election of Senators.
In 1910, Coolidge ran for mayor of Northampton and won. After one term, he ran for State Senate and served that office for three years. He then as President of the Massachusetts State Senate for one more year before he ran for Governor. Coolidge was Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1916-1919 and then Governor from 1919-1921 before he ran for vice president with Warren G. Harding. Coolidge became President of the United States after Harding’s death in August 1923. He held office until 1929 and afterwards returned to Northampton.
To learn more about the history of our 30th president, visit the museum in person (20 West St., Northampton MA) and online at forbeslibrary.org.
[Photo credits: (c) Sienna Wildfield]
Download our Jan/Feb edition of Learning Ahead: Cultural Itinerary for Western Massachusetts for embedded learning opportunities found in cultural resources that exist within the geography, history, and cultural traditions of Western Massachusetts.
