Tag Archives: White House

A Phi Gam Starts a National Tradition, Helped by His Pi Phi Wife

This year’s White House ornament honors the presidency of my favorite First Couple. It was during his administration that the White House Christmas tree tradition began. The White House Historical Association does a great job of telling the story of … Continue reading

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Grace Coolidge and the Rebecca, the First Family’s Raccoon, Attend the 1927 Easter Egg Roll

Grace Goodhue Coolidge, a University of Vermont Pi Beta Phi, has the distinction of attending all of the Easter Monday egg-rolling events which took place on the White House lawn during her tenure as First Lady. She was the first … Continue reading

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“When He (Calvin Coolidge, Jr.) Died, the Power and the Glory of the Presidency Went With Him,”

On June 30, 1924, the day that the above photograph was taken, Calvin Coolidge, Jr. and his older brother John played tennis on the White House court. Calvin Jr. wore tennis shoes, but not socks. Afterwards, he developed a blister … Continue reading

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Grace Coolidge, Pi Beta Phi and First Lady, Speaks!

By now, readers of this blog know that Grace Goodhue Coolidge is one of my favorite First Ladies. She was a charter member of the Vermont Beta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi and the chapter was installed in the Goodhue … Continue reading

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A Holiday First for the Coolidges and the United States

At 5 p.m. on December 24, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge (Phi Gamma Delta, Amherst College) began a White House tradition. He touched a button and the electric lights on a 48-foot balsam fir sparkled with electricity. First Lady Grace Goodhue … Continue reading

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“If My Father Were Your Father, You Would.” – Calvin Coolidge, Jr.

July 7, 1924 was most likely one of the worst days of Grace and Calvin Coolidge’s life together. Their youngest son, Calvin, Jr., died at the age of 16. On June 30, he had played tennis on the White House … Continue reading

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Grace Coolidge and Orange, Connecticut

Orange, Connecticut is a small town, west of New Haven. It’s where my husband grew up and where we visit yearly. When I found a Grace Coolidge letter written from Orange, my curiosity was piqued. Did Grace Coolidge really spend … Continue reading

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A Rare Glimpse of the Monmouth Duo of First Ladies

This is an absolutely wonderful blog about Calvin Coolidge and includes many pictures of and information about Grace Coolidge. For a rare glimpse of the Monmouth Duo of First Ladies, take a look at the video. At 29 seconds there is … Continue reading

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Gracing the White House

  “The Eighteenth National Panhellenic Congress representing 150,000 Sorority Women in session at Parker House, Boston, Mass.; sends greetings and best wishes to you as the first Sorority Woman to grace the White House,” is the text of the telegram … Continue reading

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Grace Goodhue Coolidge – Vermont Beta

Grace Goodhue Coolidge is my very favorite First Lady. Find out why at https://www.franbecque.com/grace-goodhue-coolidge-my-favorite-first-lady-and-a-loyal-pi-phi/

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