Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site
4.7(531)google
4.4(27)yelp
EducationalHistoryIndoor
Overview
Located in Plymouth Notch near Ludlow, the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site is the beautifully preserved birthplace and childhood home of the 30th President of the United States. This historic village looks almost exactly as it did in 1923 when Coolidge took the presidential oath of office by lamplight from his father. Visitors can explore the Coolidge homestead, the working historic cheese factory founded by the president's father, a general store, and a comprehensive museum filled with personal artifacts and presidential state documents.
Practical Info
MonClosed
Tue10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-3 hours
Best TimeThis remarkably preserved 19th-century hill village birthplace of America's 30th president is open seasonally from late May through mid-October. A morning visit at 9:30 AM in early October is peerless; crisp morning side-lighting brilliantly illuminates the historic general store, cheese factory, and white clapboard homestead wrapped in peak autumn foliage.
Getting ThereSituated in rural Plymouth (north of Ludlow) at 3780 Route 100A. As public transit options are non-existent, driving is highly recommended: navigate north out of Ludlow along the scenic VT-100 N highway for 10 miles, and turn right east onto VT-100A N for 2 winding miles. The state historic site provides an expansive, complimentary public visitor lot.
Travel Tips
- This historic site operates on a strict seasonal window, typically open only from late May through mid-October. During the winter and spring closure periods, all historic interiors, public restrooms, and visitor centers are entirely inaccessible.
- A single general admission ticket grants access to all open historic buildings. Note that Vermont State Historic Sites are state-run and independent of the federal system, meaning the federal America the Beautiful Pass is not accepted.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- The historic village layout features authentic 1920s unpaved gravel and turf paths, making strollers and wheelchairs difficult to maneuver on inclines. For photography, the optimal front-lit angle of the old Post Office is after 2:00 PM.
Reviews
Positive
- This is a near-perfectly preserved historic village that fully replicates President Coolidge's original living environment, offering immense historical value and authenticity.
- The site features excellent guided tours and rich multimedia exhibit halls, making dry history lively and fun, highly educational, and engaging.
- Far from cities, it perfectly retains a raw, tranquil rural atmosphere; commercial development is highly disciplined, making walks through the village delightful.
- The admission fee is very reasonable and fair, and the large free parking lot on-site maximizes convenience for self-drive visitors.
Heads up
- Public transit options are scarce; located in a relatively remote valley, it is extremely difficult to access for international tourists without a car.
- As strictly preserved historic structures, some old houses lack accessible elevators and have narrow steps, meaning mobility-impaired guests can't visit the second floors.
- The site's opening hours are highly seasonal, typically closing completely in winter and late spring; schedules must be verified beforehand to avoid wasted trips.
- The internal dining options are weak, featuring only a small cheese shop and a simple coffee bar, making secondary spending choices quite narrow.