Grace Coolidge writing to her son, John: February or March 1926.

Grace writes John during the spring semester of his sophomore year at Amherst. She starts by telling John she has sent along a letter from Dr. Irvine. William Irvine was the headmaster at Mercersburg Academy, where John went to preparatory school. At only 28, Irvine was the president of Mercersburg College when it transitioned to Mercersburg Academy in 1893. He served as the academy’s headmaster until his death in 1928.

Grace goes on to tell John that his father “still considers it the best plan for you to go to summer school.” On July 8, 1926, the New York Times reported that, “John Coolidge, son of the President, began six weeks of study at the summer school of the University of Vermont. The President’s son has come to the alma mater of Mrs. Coolidge to continue studies in economics and sociology, subjects he had already taken up during two years at Amherst College.” No word on John taking “vocal lessons” that Grace alluded to. On July 11, 1926, the Times reported John saying, “Dad made out my program, you know, and he knows more about it than I do.”

Although the exact date of the letter is unknown, it may have been written in mid-March 1926. Grace says, “Grandfather grows weaker and does not take much nourishment.” The New York Times reported on March 17, 1926 that “Colonel Coolidge Loses Ground During Day, Being Unable to Take Nourishment.” Colonel Coolidge passed away on March 18, 1926.