legacy

“A President and a Rug: Hidden History” by Kate E. Bradley

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“A President and a Rug: Hidden History” by Kate E. Bradley

Here is a fascinating portion of the back story behind Dr. Deranian’s research that has become the recently published book, “President Calvin Coolidge and the Armenian Orphan Rug.” The suffering and loss endured by over one hundred and thirty-five thousand orphans and more than one million others through Turkish genocide brought the best out of Americans, who contributed millions of dollars, supplies and, for some, even their own lives to rescue as many of the Armenian people as possible. It is a long overlooked detail of President Coolidge’s foreign policy that he encouraged the relief effort, even meeting two of the orphans in 1926 who would eventually call America their home. An enormous rug gifted to President Coolidge in gratitude for America’s actions through the rescue effort headed by Near East Relief, speaks not only to the good will between two peoples but to the timeless reminder that America responds with open hearts and ready service, without a single government mandate, to help defend life and freedom for the most unfortunate anywhere in the world.

Now that the Smithsonian has been inexplicably denied permission by the White House to display the rug, it is shamefully not too far-fetched to conclude that this particular Administration has little concern for the gift’s meaning and even a deliberate interest in suppressing a celebration of the force for good Americans have been not only to Armenians but multitudes of others throughout our history.

A few of the more than 4.5 million knots lovingly forming this 11' 7" x 18' 5" rug. 400 orphan girls spent 10 months preparing this gift to America.

A few of the more than 4.5 million knots lovingly forming this 11′ 7″ x 18′ 5″ rug. 400 orphan girls spent 10 months preparing this gift to America.

On Being Calvin Coolidge

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While recent years have produced some fine performances of Lincoln, Washington, Adams, Jefferson and other “big names” in Presidential history, the thirtieth President and his beloved First Lady are not without a list of impersonators. ImageHere Herbert A. Turner of Cohasset, deliberately emulating President Coolidge, campaigns through Quincy during the 1924 campaign.

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For the President’s security, a body double was used from time to time. This man hailed from Springfield, Massachusetts.

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Of course, Grace had a body double also. This woman was from Boston.

ImageThen there were those, like actor Lucien Littlefield, who were persuaded to pose as the President after a fellow cast member observed the resemblance to Coolidge while they filmed Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1927. Littlefield gladly obliged to be Calvin Coolidge for the photographer.

ImageSince then, Ian Wolfe took up the role of President Coolidge in The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell in 1955. Wolfe had portrayed a Chief Executive eight years before in California (1947), playing James K. Polk.

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In 1979, a TV mini-series called Backstairs at the White House depicted life through eight administrations, including a brief look at the Coolidge era. Ed Flanders played the President and Lee Grant Mrs. Coolidge.

ImageLast, but by far, the best portrayal of being Calvin Coolidge belongs to Jim Cooke. HavingĀ  studied “Silent Cal” so devotedly over four decades, he proves how worthy his subject is for a renewed appreciation, perhaps now more than ever. He is not merely “another impersonator” but is a teacher, a dear friend and a good man. There is no quantifying the good influence he continues to exemplify for me and many others, through keeping the flame lit for so undeservedly an underrated President. His “More Than Two Words” presentation of a not-so-silent Cal restores a “lost” and worthy chapter of our history from an institutionalized neglect in far too many history classes. Please visit his fascinating page at http://www.crankyyankees.net.

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