Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, is often remembered for his conservative politics and his belief in small government. But before he became a national figure, Coolidge spent his early years in Plymouth, Vermont, where he developed the values and character that would define him for the rest of his life.
Born in 1872, Coolidge grew up in a modest farmhouse in Plymouth Notch, a small village in the heart of Vermont's Green Mountains. His father, John Calvin Coolidge Sr., was a farmer and local businessman who also served in various public offices, including justice of the peace and town moderator. His mother, Victoria Josephine Moor Coolidge, was a loving and devoted homemaker who instilled in her children a strong sense of family and community.
Growing up in Plymouth, Coolidge learned the values of hard work, thrift, and self-reliance that would guide him throughout his life. He attended the local one-room schoolhouse, where he excelled in his studies and developed a love of learning. He also worked on the family farm, helping with chores and tending to the cows and sheep that were raised there.
Despite his humble upbringing, Coolidge was determined to succeed and make a name for himself. After graduating from high school, he attended Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he continued to excel academically and became involved in student government and other extracurricular activities. He went on to study law and was admitted to the bar in 1897.
Throughout his career in public service, Coolidge remained proud of his roots in Plymouth and often returned to visit the town and his childhood home. Today, visitors to Plymouth Notch can tour the Coolidge Homestead, which has been preserved as a National Historic Site, and learn more about the life and legacy of one of America's most iconic leaders.
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