Grace Coolidge, the nation's first lady when Calvin Coolidge served as President, will be serving tea in the Victorian Parlor of Black River Academy Museum (BRAM) on Saturday, July 25 between the hours of 1 and 4 pm.
Mrs. Coolidge (see photo), in the guise of Mimi Baird of Woodstock, will preside over this special event attired in a dress appropriate to the period. Baird, aka Mrs. Coolidge, will greet guests in the gracious manner of the President's wife, a role Baird is becoming known for in this region.
Of special note, the "first lady" will be driven to BRAM in the car that was actually used by President Coolidge while serving in Washington, DC. The car, a 1923 Lincoln town car, is currently owned by Jay Barrett of White River Junction and was used by Coolidge during his term as Vice President prior to assuming the Commander-in-Chief role following the death of President Warren Harding. Barrett will drive the "first lady" from White River Junction to the museum. Its rumored that the vehicle is not the most eco-friendly car; it gets 8 miles to the gallon. The car has a body built by Herman Brunn Company of Buffalo, NY – on of several custom body builders and suppliers to Lincoln; and cost $4,800., at a time when a new Model T Ford cost as little as $290. A photo of then Vice President Coolidge with the car is attached.
The tea table will be laden with an array of dainty sandwiches, tiny caskes and cookies, along with Grace Coolidge's favorite, ice box cookies. The Victorian Parlor, where tea will be served, is a historic room created, in large measure, by the efforts of an Advanced Placement Junior class at Black River High School in 1996. It is in the same academy building that Calvin Coolidge graduated from in 1890.
The tea is open to everyone. Guests may plan on arriving anytime between 1 and 4 pm. Tickets are $5 per person and may be purchased in advance by calling 802-228-5050 or at the door.
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