After our stop at the Dorr Mill Store in New Hampshire, and while on our way to that ocean front cottage on Cape Cod, The Girl and I decided to check out the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, Massachusetts.
And let me tell you Bob, I’m so glad we did.
In recent years, I’ve visited the Richard Nixon Presidential Library as well as the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum and it has been a fun way to learn more about our presidents.
For instance, did you know JFK’s wasn’t that great of a student and his teachers gave him a C- in public speaking? I had no idea.
Campaign buttons. I’ve seen a few of these pop up in antique stores over the years but it was the first time I had seen the little P.T. boat lapel pins. 
During the campaign if you sent in a donation you could get one in the mail. Now days, you can just buy them on Amazon.
Kennedy campaign dresses.
I don’t know about you, but I LOVE looking at old garments. The quality was so much better back then and I was surprised the wool felt sashes were in such great shape for being 56 years old. I wonder if the letters were cut by hand?
One of the things I really liked about how the JFK Presidential library was set up was all the little storefronts depicting the time period in which he ran for the presidency. This one of course was a mock set up of campaign headquarters.
This appliance store was a hoot. I can remember my grandparents having those same bedside clocks, coffee pots, record player and even that brass starburst clock on the wall in their kitchen.
A few other places in the library were set up as a stage for an actual event that took place with video monitors. This of course was from the famous Kennedy/Nixon debate.
Walter Cronkite’s desk on election night.
Various rooms were also set up with gifts and famous events that happened at the White House during Kennedy’s time there. Unfortunately I didn’t get too many pictures in this area {even though there were just a handful of people in this area at the time} because there was a man talking loudly on his cell phone THE ENTIRE time talking to his realtor and it was incredibly distracting.
C’mon, who does that?
The oval office.
One thing I thought was super cool, was that there was also a room set up as Robert Kennedy’s office {the Attorney General}. They replicated it down to a T.
Including the drawing made by his daughter Courtney. The drawing was laminated and taped to the door. Which made me wonder if was an actual drawing she had made for her father.
Does anyone know for sure?
If you are ever in Boston, stop by and take a look around because it was totally worth the $14 ticket price. Just remember to turn off your cell phone before you go in. 😉
Have you been to any presidential libraries? Do you have a favorite?
~Mavis
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125
(617) 514-1600
Nancy says
I used to work for the National Archives and Records Adminstration and worked with some of the libraries. Very interesting and so much history. I have been to th Hoover Library and plan to attend more.
Susan says
Who’s “Courtney” ?
Is that Caroline’s nickname ?
If not, perhaps the daughter of an employee at the Library drew it for her daddy
and he laminated it and taped it up as a joke.
Maryann says
Robert Kennedy’s daughter.
Susan says
Sorry. My mistake.
Kennedy was before my time.
I miss read Mavis’s typing and didn’t notice she was talking about the President’s brother.
I’ve never been to a Presidential Library.
I had no idea that a Presidential Library would even mention the President’s brother.
I thought JFK was the Attorney General.
ha-ha
Vickie says
I believe Courtney is one of Robert Kennedy’s daughters.
Susan says
Sorry. My mistake.
Kennedy was before my time.
I miss read Mavis’s typing and didn’t notice she was talking about the President’s brother.
I’ve never been to a Presidential Library.
I had no idea that a Presidential Library would even mention the President’s brother.
I thought JFK was the Attorney General.
ha-ha
Tamara says
Courtney was one of Robert Kennedy’s children; the drawing is in the replica of HIS office (as attorney general).
I love my cell phone and am so thankful for its convenience, BUT do not understand how rude some people can be with one. It is simply a lack of courtesy and consideration for others.
Susan says
Sorry. My mistake.
Kennedy was before my time.
I miss read Mavis’s typing and didn’t notice she was talking about the President’s brother.
I’ve never been to a Presidential Library.
I had no idea that a Presidential Library would even mention the President’s brother.
I thought JFK was the Attorney General.
ha-ha
Leanna says
LBJ in Austin, TX – that’s the only one I’ve been to but it was very interesting.
Nicole says
I am so happy you were able to check out the John F Kennedy Presidential Library. I live close to Boston and have been there once. I love all your photos!
Chip says
Eight of the Presidential Libraries (Kennedy, Ford, Reagan, Truman, Hoover, Carter , Johnson and Bush #41) are part of the National Archives. If you buy a membership at any one of these, it provides you with free admission to the rest. When we retire soon, we plan on traveling to visit many of them. A dual membership is $55 so you can see that at $14 a person admission, the membership quickly pays for itself.
Mavis Butterfield says
Wow! Thanks Chip!
Connie says
Excellent info … thanks for sharing, Chip!
Renay says
Love those clocks! I always look for just the right one at the antique stores…my sister in law likes the old ones because her cats can’t step on it and turn off her alarm. lol
That stove is super cool – my Great Aunt Mae had that. The ‘drawer’ under the stove door pulls out and that is where the burners are. Really cool!
Lauralli says
I’ve only been to one presidential library, but I hear it’s one of the best. Ronald Reagan. It was awesome! I hope to go to many more. Kennedy’s does look like a really good one, too. It’s funny that I drive by Clinton’s on a fairly regular basis, but have never been. Really never even wanted to go. But, I probably should.
Connie says
Two things came to mind as I read …
– I vividly remember being in the grocery store with my Mom when an announcement was made over the p.a. system that President Kenney had been shot. My Mom – in tears – picked me up out of the shopping cart, left the cart right where it was in the middle of the store and we went home. I was so little but I’ll never forget it.
– We have and still use that exact electric appliance with the oven on top and the “pull out” burners at my family’s Montana homestead. I’ve made many meals with it and I’m determined to keep it!!
What a cool place to visit – thanks for sharing your trip with us, Mavis. And Chip’s suggestion was so great. I’m definitely putting some Presidential Libraries on my “must see” list! 🙂
Cynthia Platon says
Wow! I kind of understand everyone’s fascination with the Kennedy’s, the whole Camelot thing, but really? His father BOUGHT him the Presidency. Joseph Kennedy Senior originally started out thinking about the power and prestige that he so wanted for himself, but could not buy, as he was not of the old guard in the US. His thoughts then turned to his son, Joe Jr. who, tragically was killed in the war. Then Joe Sr. had to turn his attention to his second son John. He groomed him, greased the right palms, coddled him, told him he could do anything and was entitled to everything. He, Joe Sr., made a President that was an adulterer, felt entitled and was a drug addict. Yeah Kennedy’s! I’m sorry, but in my world, I judge a man by his integrity in his everyday life and his actions when no one is looking.