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Our Partnership with the Washington Nationals

White House history and American baseball history have been intertwined for more than a century, creating a rich legacy of presidential fans, championship celebrations, and more than a few first pitches.

The White House Historical Association, committed to bringing White House history to life through its educational mission and partnerships, recognized a tremendous opportunity to bring this shared history to life through the story of President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Grace Coolidge.

It was called “Coolidge Luck” when the Washington Senators made their storied run for the World Series Championship in 1924 and First Lady Grace Coolidge was known to be an avid fan and was called the “First Lady of Baseball.”

Gallery

  • President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Grace Coolidge at a baseball game with Coolidge’s secretary C. Bascom Slemp at right, 1924.

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    President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Grace Coolidge at a baseball game with Coolidge’s secretary C. Bascom Slemp at right, 1924.

    Library of Congress
  • President Calvin Coolidge signs a baseball for Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson as Johnson’s Senators teammates look on, 1924.

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    President Calvin Coolidge signs a baseball for Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson as Johnson’s Senators teammates look on, 1924.

    Library of Congress
  • President Coolidge and the First Lady at a Baseball Game

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    President Coolidge and First Lady Grace Coolidge were baseball fans and temporarily transferred their allegiance from the Boston Red Sox to the Washington Senators.

    Library of Congress
  • President Coolidge prepares to throw out the first ball of game three of the 1925 World Series, 1925

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    President Coolidge prepares to throw out the first ball of game three of the 1925 World Series; Pittsburgh Pirates manager Bill McKechnie stands to the president’s right and Washington Senators manager Bucky Harris stands on Coolidge’s left; baseball commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis is visible at Harris’ left shoulder, October 10, 1925.

    Library of Congress
  • Presidents & Baseball: President Coolidge with the 1925 Washington Senators

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    Members of the 1925 Washington Senators stand with President Coolidge on the White House lawn.

    Library of Congress

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In partnership with the Washington Nationals, the Association is reaching a new audience with its mission through a fun, educational collaboration that elevates White House history; increases awareness of the Association’s signature fundraising tool, the Official White House Christmas Ornament; and engages students across the city in a new exciting education program.

Over the next three years, the two organizations are creating an exciting experience for fans in Nationals Park and across the Washington, D.C. region.

Racing Calvin

Nearly 10 feet tall and a formidable racer, Racing Calvin, joined the Washington Nationals Racing Presidents line-up in the summer of 2015 as new favorite in the popular mid-game race. Building on the presidential history already a part of the racing team with Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, and Taft, the new Visiting President adds visibility and connectivity to the partnership around Coolidge and his ties to the Washington team.

Washington Nationals Partnership Racing Presidents

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White House History Challenge

Fans are able to test their White House history knowledge at each home game during a live fifth-inning quiz created by Association historians and features a range of trivia questions from first pets to significant White House events. Fans at home can play along through the Association’s Twitter handle @WhiteHouseHstry. In-game winners, are rewarded with their own Official White House Christmas Ornament.

In Stadium Promotion

Visitors to the Nationals team store are able to now purchase the Official White House Christmas Ornament. Each year, the Association sequentially honors a president or significant White House anniversary with the Official White House Christmas Ornament. 2015 commemorates Coolidge’s presidency with an ornament that features a baseball, alongside other icons representative of Coolidge’s life and term as the thirtieth president of the United States.

Education Program

The White House Historical Association and the Washington Nationals have launched their educational program for 11th grade students in Washington, D.C. public and public charter schools that will examine the powers of the president and focus on decision-making in the White House. Aligned with D.C. school learning standards, White House at Bat: A Presidential History Challenge offers a creative way to research and interpret White House history with the power of the Racing Presidents line-up.

11th grade students are invited to submit a project entry consisting of a storyboard for a 50-second video about a decision made by one of the Racing Presidents, an accompanying essay, and an annotated bibliography. Five winning projects, one for each of the Racing Presidents, will be chosen to be produced for the big screen at a major league baseball game at Nationals Park.

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