John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum (Massachusetts)

10 and up, Massachusetts, Teenagers, United States 4 Minutes

https://www.jfklibrary.org

While visiting Boston, take the T south just a few stops to see the beautiful John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. It’s such an insightful look into both his life and presidency.

History

John F. Kennedy (called Jack) was born in the Boston suburb of Brookline on May 29, 1917. He grew up here with his large family of eight brothers and sisters. His father, Joseph, was a Boston politician and future ambassador, and his indomitable mother, Rose, ran a tight ship with her rambunctious children. He graduated from Harvard University and served in the Navy during WWII where he became a hero by saving his crew after his boat was destroyed. His older brother, who was presumed to be the Kennedy political future, died in the war.

After the war, Jack became involved in politics and served in the US House of Representatives and the Senate. He married Jacqueline “Jackie” Bouvier in 1953, and they eventually had two surviving children, Caroline and John, Jr. Jack became president in the election of 1960, beating Republican Richard Nixon. His presidency covered the tumultuous years of the Cold War, including the Cuban Missle Crisis.

On November 23, 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas by Lee Harvey Oswald (see my post about the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza here). Jackie and his family continued his legacy by working with the National Archives to build the only official national memorial to him in Boston. They agreed it would be three separate entities under one roof – a museum, an archive, and an educational institute that would bridge the gap between the academic world and the world of public affairs.

At first, the museum was to be built at Harvard University but that plan was abandoned in 1975 and a site was chosen on Boston Harbor near the University of Massachusetts Harbor campus. The library and museum opened in 1979 in a building designed by I.M. Pei. 

Visit

The museum is easy to get to from Boston. Just take the Red Line on the T south to the JFK/UMass stop. There is a free bus from the T to the library. Or take an Uber from Boston or the T stop. 

The library sits directly on Boston Harbor and has dramatic views of the city and water. It’s breath-taking!

Enter the library and purchase your tickets. The first exhibit room is about JFK’s early life and WWII service. 

Don’t miss the info about his heroic efforts in WWII, especially the coconut that he used to communicate!

You will next enter the movie theater to watch a movie about the election of 1960. 

After you exit the theater on the ground floor, you will walk through the presidential exhibits from the election throughout his presidency. The election exhibits really put you in the mindset of the time period! 

It shows how Kennedy made such a positive impression during the first televised presidential debate.

I especially loved the replica of the White House hallway.

And the replica Oval Office. Can’t you just see little John poking his head out of the desk?

There are many exhibits about the space race, the threat of nuclear war, and the Cuban missile crisis. 

There is a small exhibit specifically about First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy along with some of her items throughout the museum.

I love this dress she wore to the state dinner with the Peru president in 1961 and this china setting from a state dinner in 1962.

I loved learning that she hosted the first state dinner outside of the White House at Mount Vernon and even had the calligrapher to put together this mock invitation to George and Martha Washington for her scrapbook. 

I could have watched the video of her White House tour all day! Her voice is mesmerizing! And of course I loved the clothes and pictures from her childhood.

The exhibit about his assissination and legacy leave you with the “what-ifs” of history. It also includes a piece of the Berlin Wall which is always fascinating to see.

During my visit, the temporary exhibition space was all about WWII. It was so informative and included Jack’s naval uniform and his sister’s dress from their time in London before the war.

The end of the tour puts you in the massive lobby with its wall of windows overlooking the harbor. During the warmer months, the president’s boat is dry docked below for observation. 

There is an excellent gift shop located near the exit. 

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is a must-see for any presidential enthusiast or those who love first lady history. Add it to your itinerary when you’re in Boston!

Helpful hints:

Books to Read:

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Published by Jayda Justus, The History Mom

Jayda B. Justus is the creator/writer of the blog, The History Mom, where she provides detailed reviews of US and European historical sites for families with corresponding book recommendations. She loves interacting with the bookish world on Instagram as @thehistorymom, especially #bookstagram, and has appeared as a guest on several podcasts, blogs, and media outlets. Her favorite genres to read are historical fiction and nonfiction, but she also loves contemporary and historical romance and women’s fiction. Hailing from the historic town of Kings Mountain, North Carolina, she is a former legislative director for a Member of Congress and now lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family where she spends her days working on her first novel. Visit her at The History Mom (https://thehistorymom.com).

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