Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-03
COOL|DGES TO FILL
NEW HOME IN MAY
Former President Well
Pleased With Nine-ACre
Estate at Northampton.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

NORTHAMPTON, Mass, April Son
May Is Calvin Coolidge will forsake the
unpretentious eight-room duplex resi-
dence at the now famous "21 Massasoit
= street" for a 16-room residence on one
of Northampton's most exclusive es-
tates, which he told newspaper men to-
day sis modest place with a little
land that have bought"
The former President and Mrs. Cool
1dge hope to occupy their new domicile
by the middle of next month.
The transactions were concluded yes
terday afternoon at Mr.. Coolidge's law
offices In Northampton and according
to the best of authority the former
President paid cash for the estate. He
becomes the possessor of nine acres To-
Gated on a bluff overlooking the broad
sweep of the Northampton meadows
and the meandering Connecticut River,
with the Mount Holyoke Range Of
mountains forming an impressive back
ground. 1t is reached by winding
private drive from the intersection Of
Munroe street and Hampton terrace, 10
Gated in the exclusive South street Sec
ton.
The Beeches, as it is known, was the
property of Mrs. Morris L. Comey,
widow of a former superintendent of
the West Boylston Cotton Mills, in
nearby industrial village.
Started by Educator.
President Henry L. McCracken of
Vassar College started its erection and
landscaping when he was member
OF Smith College faculty.
Murphy and Dana, celebrated archi-
tects of New York City, designers of
many of the wealthy mansions in the
East, supervised the plans and con-
Struction of the new Coolidge estate.
, His acceptance of the VaSsar College
presidency caused President McCracken
to forego completion of the dwelling
and the property in its incomplete
state came into the possession of Mr..
and Mrs. Comey.
Some changes in the arrangement
were made by them, but the pure Eng
lish country house designed was adj
hered to throughout its erection. It
was characterized by Mr.. Dana at its
completion as the finest residence the
architects had ever designed.
A circular drive leads to the main
entry from the private road through
gateway of two pillars of rubble stone
masonry. Two bronze plaques desig-
nate the estate as THE Beeches." The
. three-story residence stands on its COM
manding position on the bluff, but is
sheltered by great tall beeches. naples,
elms and oak trees and is hidden from
the public thoroughfare.
Formerly "The Lodges"
More than 200 trees have been set
out by nature and landscape gardeners
and among them are 80 beeches. The
latter gave the place its present name
although at one time 1t was known as
"The Legges." Nine acres of woodland
and meadow area comprise the estate.
There are beautiful rose gardens and
q wide variety of perennials arranged
it7 rin immediate
vicinity of the dwelling.
At one side of the house are tennis
courts screened in with trelliSeS 10 feet
high on all sides wit hclimbing roses,
some of them of rare type. making the
courts a veritable fairy bower during
the poisoning season. Below the
bluff is located a private swimming
pool fashioned out of small natural
pond fed by a mountain brook. The
brook has been stocked with trout and
the former President may disport him
self along its grassy banks in season.
Beyond the pool is located the meadow
land, where a vegetable and truck gar
den is located. One of its features Is
a thriving asparagus bed OF large pro-
portions. A berry patch filled with
bushes of raspberry, black caps, black
berries. currants and goosenerrles mas mas
the bluff from the grounds above to
this lower level.
With its surrounding of silvery gray
beeches, Mrs. Comey has had special
paint mixed to match the color OF the
beeches and the shingles are stained
with this. The roof Is covered with
1900 pounds of sheet copper that has
been weather stained and matches the
copper hue of the beech foliage.
Everything about the grounds and
their spacious dimensions have delighted
Mr. and Mrs. Coolidge. They will have
the privacy they seek, where their in
innate friends may be entertained.
Zone of the nice things about the
house." Mr.. Coolidge said, "is the size
of the grounds. We can let all of our
dogs run about as much as they like"
The dwelling is admirably appointed
inside. Entry is made by means OF
reception room, and on the ground
living and drawing room, fine large
dining room and a library, with ca
pacity for 5000 volumes. The servants
dining room and culinary department
are in the rear. A large sun porch
sweeps across the front end and pro-
vides an unhampered view Of Mount
Tom, Mount Holyoke and Mount POM
eroy, besides many miles of the si1very
Connecticut.
There are two suites on the second
floor, one for guests and the other for
the family, each provided with pri-
waite bath.
! The third floor is fitted out with a
billiard room and quarters for two
maids and two guests with two baths.
May Become Shrine.
I The establishment at "21 Massasoit
street" home of the Coolidges for a
quarter of a century into which they
moved year after their marriage in
1904, may be set up as a Coolidge
shrine by Northampton people. Some
talk of this has been heard. In their
new home the housekeeper that has
been with Mr.. and Mrs. Coolidge the
greater part of their married life will
be augmented by two maids, gardener
and chauffeur if Mrs. Coolidge main
tains the same service now employed
at the residence by Mrs. Comey.
MIS-. Comey and Mr.. Coolidge con-
cluded their transfer of deeds yester-
day afternoon at Mr.. Coolidge's Office
and both had an opportunity to chat
for a half hour because OF the delay
in arrival by Mrs. Conveys attorney.
! The two participants chatted good
humoredly, the former President re-
marking at one point that there would
be plenty OF opportunity to rake up
leaves around the estate.
/ Mrs. Comey told him that she fire.
squently spent many enjoyable after
moons and mornings in her garden
raking leaves. laughing good naturally,