President William Howard Taft was the third of the three Presidents who were in Willimantic. In September, 1911, President Taft’s train was headed to “the Summer White House” in Beverly, MA. Word had gotten out that the train would be passing through and so there was a crowd of several thousand waiting at the station. The train pulled in at 6 P.M. and the crowd gave him “a rousing cheer”. The President left the train and, for four minutes, stood on the platform and, “with his characteristic smile, greeted the several thousand people” assembled there.” He was greeted by Mayor Danny Dunn whom Taft had met previously. Mayor Dunn addressed the people and said he wanted to introduce “the greatest man in the United States, William Howard Taft”. People cheered and waved their hats and handkerchiefs. Then, Taft said that Dunn “asked him to a least say ‘How do you do’ to the Willimantic people”. There was no time for a speech but Taft made a few remarks. He said he was pleased to see so many “Connecticut Yankees” and that he knew what a Connecticut Yankee was since he had received his education in Connecticut. He also said that Willimantic people looked “prosperous”. As the train pulled out of the station, Taft remained on the rear platform smiling and bowing to the people. In 1915, now as as Former-President,  William Howard Taft was guest of Honor at the Old School and Old Home Week. The Thursday of that week, June 24^th, was referred to as “Willimantic and Windham’s Biggest Day”. It was said that “Thousands came (to Willimantic) to see the big parade and have a good time”. The parade was the biggest that had ever been held with hundreds school children, members of all the fraternal organizations and “everyone else who could” participating. At noon, George Taylor, chairman of “Old School and Old Home Week committee” hosted a luncheon in honor of Taft. The luncheon was attended by Willimantic historian Allen B. Lincoln who had conceived the idea for the week.  The huge afternoon parade processed down Main Street to Recreation Park. After entering the grounds, those in the parade marched around the half-mile track. Those in the line of march then broke ranks and gathered to hear the former-President’s speech. After being introduced by George F. Taylor, Taft made his remarks. “You have had an Old School and Old Home Week in Willimantic. I heartily congratulate you on the great success that has attended this festival. It evidences the enterprise and energy of the people of Willimantic that they have been able to carry on such an occasion of this sort with so much enthusiasm and so much real merit. I had the honor of witnessing a very beautiful parade and one calculated to show the enterprise, business importance nd municipal spirit of Willimantic. And as one of very considerable experience, I claim to be an expert not only in banquets but also parades. Willimantic is a hive of industry. You have leaders here who have made Willimantic known everywhere and they are trained to do things. I doubt not that in the history of this community, your Old Home Week, your Old School Week. Will remain for many years in pleasing memory. And the children who took part in the parade and who contributed to the harmony with their songs will grow up to remember this day and to carry with them the patriotic inspiration of the songs and the flags of the National Guard, a regiment here which speaks well of Connecticut’s desire to prepare for the legitimate defense of our country. Now, my friends, I congratulate you that you have in your community, an organization, a corporation (he was referring to American Thread) that feels so strongly the desire to make those associated with it comfortable and happy that it has opened this beautiful Recreation Park to the people of Willimantic. And your coming here marks that you appreciate the advantages offered. Another thing I have observed in this celebration is that you have cultivated here in the minds of the people a religious unity and a religious friendship .I have come here to talk to you on the subject of education but education is not a short subject but is one that for this discussion and its consideration requires soft, comfortable seats. But perhaps you will bear with me in order that I may call your attention to what you know as well as I do, that any popular government must have intelligence in the electorate, otherwise there is the danger of having ignorant prejudice yielding to blind passion…. If you have an educated electorate, they are much more likely to keep their heads and they will not be influenced by unreasonable arguments if they are able to read and write