Caption: President Coolidge prepares to throw out the first ball of Game 3 of the 1925 World Series on Oct. 10. Pittsburgh Pirates manager Bill McKechnie stands to the president’s right and Washington Senators manager Bucky Harris stands on Coolidge’s left. Baseball commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis is visible at Harris’ left shoulder. (Library of Congress)
A century ago, on Oct. 10, 1925, President Calvin Coolidge threw out the first ball of Game 3 of the World Series. The series pitted the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Washington Senators. The first two games of the Series had been played at Pittsburgh's Forbes Field, and the teams came to Washington's Griffith Stadium for Games 3, 4 and 5. While the Senators would win the game at which the president threw out the first ball, they would go on to lose the Series which went a full seven games.
HELP KEEP COOLIDGE COOL
With help from generous donors and a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Cultural Facilities Fund, conceptual design plans to modernize our museum space with engaging and thought-provoking exhibits are now complete.
To help make this dream a reality, more than $400,000 is needed to fund the renovation and installation of new exhibits fit for telling the Coolidge story in the 21st century. Public and private grants are being sought to finance the project, and contributions from generous donors like you will help us reach the goal.
One of the new features of the design will be two armoires- “Cal’s Closet” and “Grace’s Closet” to display clothing and accessories.
For plans by email, mail, or to meet with a member of the Coolidge Committee in person or virtually, contact us by email to Coolidge@forbeslibrary.org or call 413-587-1014.
Gifts may be madeonline or by mailing a check to Forbes Library, 20 West St, Northampton, MA 01060 and place “Coolidge Renovation" in the memo line.
Join us for a discussion of President Coolidge and Jewish relations in the 1920s with panelists Jennifer Young, education program manager at the Yiddish Book Center, and Aaron Berman, professor emeritus of history, Hampshire College. This discussion will be moderated by Bill Scher, Coolidge Museum Standing Committee vice chair. All are welcome; no registration is required.
The program is also part of Congregational B'Nai Israel's Cafe series on Sundays in person in the synagogue's Social Hall and livestreamed. To get the livestream link register for the event and the link will be in a confirmation email.
10:30-11:00 am: Coffee and nosh 11:00-12:00 pm: Presentation and discussion
Presidents Book Group
The Presidents Book Group meets on the 4th Monday of the month at 6:30 PM This hybrid group meets in person in the Coolidge Museum or join via zoom
This month we are discussing Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison on October 27. Chose from the following titles:
Primary Cleveland selection: A Man of Iron by Troy Senik
In this group you will deepen your understanding of the American presidency as we trace the history of the presidency and follow how presidents, both celebrated and forgotten, grappled with slavery, economics, executive power and America's role in the world.
This group is moderated by Bill Scher, Vice President of the Coolidge Museum Committee. To join the email list, contact Coolidge@forbeslibrary.org
Herstory Book Group
This book group meets on Zoom on the 2nd Wednesday of the month 7-8:30 PM
The group will take December off and restart in January. The inspiration for the book club, 'Herstory: Women in American History,' came from members of the Coolidge museum's presidential book club who expressed a desire to read more about the context of historical figures and to hear from and about the women involved in the building of our nation.
Selections include biographies of women interspersed with texts on significant periods in American history. This way, book club members can place the women they read about in context and gain a fuller understanding of their challenges and achievements.
This group is moderated by Coolidge Museum Committee members Leslie Skantz-Hodgson (Smith Vocational School Librarian) and Rob Weir (retired professor of history).