Born on October 30, 1864 in Chicago
Daughter of Albert Sprague, who established in Chicago one of the largest Wholesale grocery businesses in the world.
In 1915 her father died and left her a substantial fortune.
Died on November 4th, 1953
Wife of Dr. Frederic Shurtleff Coolidge, an orthopedic surgeon, who died in 1915.
Only child: Albert Coolidge
In 1916 donated $200,000 to Yale University for the construction of Sprague Hall, the school’s first music building. Endowed with $100,000 a pension fund for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Mrs Coolidge was a strong supporter of music and medical care throughout Berkshire County.
Started the Temple of Music in 1918. World famous chamber music concerts were performed on the South Mountain, which is located off South Street in Pittsfield Massachusetts. The Temple of Music is not South Mountain Association.
In 1924 Mrs. Boolidge sent the Federal Government a check for $94,000 so that an auditorium could be built in Washington D.C. for the purpose of recognizing chamber music.
Dr and Mrs Coolidge converted her West Street estate in Pittsfield to the Berkshire Community Home of Crippled Children. It later became Berkshire Children and Families and is now 18 Degrees.
Mrs Coolidge was one of the Pittsfield’s greatest benefactors, second only to perhaps Zenas Crane of Salton.
Mrs Coolidge is buried in the Pittsfield Cemetery on the 13 Rural Lane Section.
Information provided by the Berkshire Eagle and The American Organist.
