Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge (1879-1957) was the wife of the 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge. She was the First Lady from 1923 to 1929. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 1902 with a bachelor of arts degree in teaching and joined the Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech in Northampton, Massachusetts to teach deaf children to communicate by lip reading, rather than by signing. She met Calvin Coolidge in 1904, and the two were married the following year.
As her husband advanced his political career, Coolidge avoided politics. When Calvin Coolidge was elected Governor of Massachusetts in 1919, she remained at home in Northampton with their children. After her husband’s election as vice president in 1920, the family moved to Washington, D.C., living at the Willard Hotel. Coolidge did not speak out on political issues of the day, including women’s rights. Instead, she dedicated herself to supporting popular causes and organizations, such as the Red Cross and the Visiting Nurse Association.
After the death of her son Calvin in 1924, she won the sympathy of the country. Unlike previous first ladies, who had withdrawn almost entirely from the public spotlight after personal tragedies, Coolidge resumed her official duties after only a few months.
In 1929, Calvin Coolidge’s term as president ended, and the couple retired to Northampton. After her husband’s death in 1933, Coolidge continued her work with the deaf and wrote for several magazines. She served on the boards of Mercersburg Academy and the Clarke School.
After the start of World War II, Grace joined a local Northampton committee dedicated to helping Jewish refugees from Europe. In 1957, she died of heart disease, and was buried in Plymouth, Vermont, beside her husband and her son.
These amazing photographs from Boston Public Library were taken by Boston photographer Leslie Ronald Jones that documented everyday life of Mrs. Coolidge and her family in the 1920s.
Coolidge, the law and order governor, with his family during police strike, 1920
Pres. Coolidge and family, circa 1920
Calvin Coolidge and wife, circa 1921
Governor and Mrs. Coolidge when Coolidge was elected as V.P., circa 1921
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge and son John in Plymouth, VT, circa 1924
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge with son John, 1924
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge, 1924
Pres. Coolidge and wife greet a civil war vet in Plymouth, VT, 1924
Pres. Coolidge presented with rakes, 1924
Pres. Coolidge’s Plymouth Vt. home, 1924
John, Mrs. and Pres. Coolidge in Adirondacks, 1926
Mrs. Calvin Coolidge in 1926
Mrs. Calvin Coolidge in 1926
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge and their dog Rob Roy, circa 1926
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge in cemetery, 1926
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge visit cemetery, 1926
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge with their dog Rob Roy, 1926
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge, circa 1926
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge, circa 1926
Pres. Coolidge and wife in Swampscott, circa 1926
Pres. Coolidge and wife walking in cemetery, 1926
President and Mrs. Coolidge, 1926
Mrs. Coolidge and son John in Northampton, 1928
Mrs. Coolidge and son John leaving her mother’s home at 21 Massasoit St., Northampton, 1928
Mrs. Coolidge arrives at her mother’s home in Northampton, 1928
Mrs. Coolidge arrives at her mother’s home in Northampton, 1928
Mrs. Coolidge in Andover, 1928
Mrs. Coolidge waving in Andover, 1928
Mrs. Coolidge with her mother’s nurse in Northampton, 1928
Mrs. Coolidge with son John at Northampton, 1928
Mrs. Coolidge’s housekeeper, Mrs. Coolidge, and Mrs. Hills in Northampton, MA, 1928
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge at Andover, 1928
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge at Andover, 1928
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge at Andover, 1928
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge in Andover, 1928
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge in Andover, 1928
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge in Northampton to cast vote for Herbert Hoover, 1928
Calvin Coolidge and wife at sea
Here is Mrs. Coolidge’s double and she lives in Boston
Mrs. and Col. Lindbergh with Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge in front of temporary White House in Washington
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge at M.I.T.
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge at Salem depot
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge in automobile
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge read inscription on monument to Gov. William Bradford
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge with aunt Mrs. Wilder
Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge with their dog Rob Roy
Pres. Coolidge and wife aboard the yacht Mayflower
Pres. Coolidge and wife in Cohasset
President and Mrs. Coolidge in Cambridge
Pres. Coolidge and wife return to Northampton after the end of Coolidge’s second term, 1929
Ex-Pres. and Mrs. Coolidge return to Northampton, MA, 1929
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