This article is the fourth installment of an HPR series exploring President Kennedy’s legacy as we reflect on the 50th anniversary of his assassination.
The JFK legacy is something truly amazing. From the Kennedy School of Government to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, institutions across the country bear the 35th President’s name. But, many people seem to forget about the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library located right here in Boston, Mass. It is filled with reminders of his presidency that are remarkable, to say the least. This past week, I had the opportunity to get an exclusive tour of the exhibits where I was awed by the breadth and depth of the museum.
As soon as you drive up, the design and property around the building speak to the magnitude of President Kennedy’s legacy. Once inside, you are taken through a maze of exhibits, starting with one highlighting the 1960 presidential election. The tour proceeds in great detail, showcasing the debates, antique cameras, and video reels from a very intense Kennedy/Nixon face-off. As you follow the timeline of exhibits, you will soon find yourself looking at the first spacecraft to orbit the earth, a true landmark in the Kennedy presidency. Through the main hallway, modeled after the White House, lies a group of exhibits that show spectacular gifts exchanged between the Kennedys and other world leaders of the time—from fully gold and gem lined purses for Mrs. Kennedy to replicas of George Washington’s swords presented to Nikita Khrushchev.
As you follow the exhibit path, the walls are lined with Jacqueline Kennedy’s quotations about her husband. Many of these exhibits focus on Mrs. Kennedy, one of the nation’s most well-regarded First Ladies. Other notable exhibits include JFK’s Oval Office desk, a replica of the Attorney General’s office, and a study room focused on Edward Kennedy. Upon exiting the exhibition halls, you proceed into a breathtaking glass lobby that looks over the river and the Boston skyline.
From a spacecraft to the desk the President used in the Oval Office, this library museum is a true testament to Kennedy’s legacy. I would suggest all Harvard students visit at some point during their time in Cambridge. The library doesn’t quite give credit to the totality of JFK’s legacy, but it will certainly provide a stimulating experience for anyone who has a free afternoon. Not many college students have the opportunity to see the tangible legacy of John F. Kennedy as intimately as we do.