"1ST OFFICIAL CONFERENCE OF VACATION STAY"

PRESIDENT WILL NOT REVIEW PARADE OR ADDRESS KKK CONVENTION IN AUGUST

Swampscott, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On June 26, 1925, President Calvin Coolidge held "the first official conference of his vacation stay on the north shore of Massachusetts."

White House officials, working at White Court* here in Swampscott, also intimated to the press that President Coolidge will most likely not be reviewing the Ku Klux Klan parade or addressing the KKK convention to be held in the Nation's Capital in August.

It was also intimated that Klan officials offered the invitation not expecting the President to accept it.

*White Court was a century old classical revival mansion which served as "The Summer White House" for President Coolidge in 1925.  The mansion, which reportedly was set for demolition in 2018, was designed by Arthur Little.

SOURCES

"Coolidge Will Not Address Klan Here," by George E. Durno, The Washington Times, June 26, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"The Last Summer of White Court," by daseger, Streets of Salem, June 28, 2018, www.streetsofsalem.com/

Marian Court College

Swampscott, MA

Photo by Chonak (2009)

CC SA 3.o

"BUT AFTER ALL, ITS NOT HIS MONEY"

FIRST FAMILY PREPARES FOR TWO MONTH ABSENCE FROM WHITE HOUSE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On June 21, 1925, The Sunday Star reports that President Calvin Coolidge and the First Lady "are busy preparing for their departure Tuesday for Swampscott, Mass., where they will spend the next two months."

The presidential yacht, Mayflower, sailed yesterday carrying two cooks, domestic servants and the Coolidge dogs, Paul Pry and Rob Roy.

In the meantime, the President had a busy day, but "the evening found his desk clear and him ready to leave."

During the First Family's absence, the Executive Mansion will undergo major renovations at a cost of up to $50,000 to the taxpayers.  So much for Mr. Coolidge's frugality, but after all, its not his money.

JFK+50 NOTE

The "significant" renovations of The White House were 1817, 1902, & 1948-1952.  The floor marker in the Entrance Hall displays the years 1817, 1792-1902, & 1952.  It was installed after the major renovations while Harry Truman was POTUS.  In 1927, a 3rd floor was added under a rebuilt roof.

SOURCE

"President's Desk Clear as He Makes Preparations to Leave White House," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., June 21, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Entrance Hall Marker

The White House

Washington, D.C. (2017)

Photo by John White

"WILL ESTABLISH SUMMER CAPITAL AT SWAMPSCOTT"

COOLIDGE WILL ABANDON WHITE HOUSE WHILE REPAIR WORK IS UNDERWAY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 1, 1925, The Evening Star reports President Calvin Coolidge "is seriously considering abandoning the White House for at least eight or ten weeks this coming summer."

The President will visit his father in Plymouth, Vermont for two weeks and "will then establish a summer capital at Swampscott," on the northern shore of Massachusetts.

He is looking to stay at White Court*, "one of the showplaces in that section."

The President wishes to be away from the Executive Mansion "while extensive repair work is underway."  A new roof will be installed and the attic will be fireproofed.

*White Court, a classical revival mansion located in Swampscott, Massachusetts which served as the summer White House in 1925.  The property had six seaside acres. 

WC was designed by architect Arthur Little.  While quartered there, Mr. Coolidge used an office in Lynn, MA.

SOURCES

"President Considers Leaving Capital For 8 or 10 Weeks During Summer," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., March 1, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"The Last Summer of White Court," by Donna Seger, June 28, 2018, www.streetsofsalem.com/

Map of Swampscott MA

www.townmapusa.com/

CC BY-SA 3.0 US