Date: April 28, 1931
Location: Northampton, MA
(Original document available here)
Those who are supporting the movement have designated this week as a time for especial consideration of the problem of better homes. It is part of the general effort which we constantly are making for social improvement. On its practical side, the architect, the builder and the many modern inventions all have been enlisted to make the home more convenient, more sanitary and more beautiful. Science and art are joined with economics to teach people better how to live.
Our material surroundings have a marked effect upon our physical, mental and moral life. Proper nourishment, ventilation and even decorations have been found from actual experiment to be of much importance. Environment has an especially large influence upon the development of children.
The home is the foundation of society. Unless it teaches order and truth, justice and forbearance, patriotism and humanity, these virtues are not likely to be acquired from any other source. When everything has been done for the house, only the people who live in it can make it a better home. The in-dwelling spirit cannot be ignored in this movement. All that luxury can provide will fail without the co-operation of personal faith and devotion.
Citation: Calvin Coolidge Says: Dispatches Written by Former-President Coolidge and Syndicated to Newspapers in 1930-1931 (Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation)
The Coolidge Foundation gratefully acknowledges the volunteer efforts of Helagenet Hailu who prepared this document for digital publication.