The fascination with all things Kennedy reaches its pinnacle with the life and times of the 35th United States President. So many scholars have critiqued this pivotal figure and his impact on American politics that the study of John F. Kennedy has become a branch of knowledge in itself: one populated by authors and motion picture directors, conspiracy theorists and foreign policy analysts, critics and worshippers. What better place to pay official tribute to him than in Boston, Massachusetts? Administered by the National Archives, the museum contains open-to-the-public exhibits about JFK as well as a vast repository of related documents, photos, books and film for researchers.

What to Expect
If you’re looking for all sides of what is certainly a multifaceted story, don’t count on the JFK Museum to provide them. Unabashedly glowing, the museum’s viewpoint is one wholeheartedly subscribing to the "Camelot" school of thought, where the JFK depicted is hero, family man and idealistic leader. Although we didn’t expect to see exhibits portraying rumored scandals, we were a little disappointed by some missed opportunities for interesting discussion. For example, reference to the Kennedy administration’s Vietnam policy is lacking, as is mention of the theories behind his assassination.

This is not to say that students of the president will be disappointed; the meticulous recreation of his Oval Office, for example, lends an intimacy to the museum that is its strongest suit. The JFK Museum also plays to the importance of television in the 1960 presidential campaign, using monitors throughout its exhibits to recount debates, speeches, addresses and media coverage of JFK’s time in office. Though much of the footage helps to recreate the moment, we sometimes found it distracting from the exhibits themselves and urge visitors to take a closer look at the "fine print."

Noteworthy Exhibits and Films
Visitors to the museum begin their tour with a 17-minute film chronicling the pre-presidential years of JFK’s life. You will see a brief family history as well as an overview of his childhood, election to the Senate, marriage to Jackie and events preceding the 1960 campaign. The small amphitheater deposits guests into the first of 21 exhibits, which takes up where the film left off.

"Convention Hall" is an area replete with campaign posters, banners, buttons and the like. The museum sets the time well, propelling visitors back to 1960 via 10-cent copies of the Boston Globe and window displays for a variety store and appliance showroom. Next on the campaign trail is a mock headquarters where you can read actual press releases written by JFK staffers, listen to campaign jingles and view a CBS newsroom reporting election results. The famous Nixon-Kennedy debates are shown on a series of screens to remind visitors of television’s impact on this presidential race.

The next set of exhibits focuses on JFK’s presidency. This is where the bulk of interesting documents and photographs are found. We recommend carefully reading the placards that accompany each display – unfortunately the lack of guided tours allows visitors to overlook some of the more educational aspects of the museum. If you only listen to the video clips and glaze over some of the smaller rooms, you might not, for example, remember (or discover) that it was JFK who founded the Peace Corps by executive order in 1961. Be on the lookout for some of the notable gifts given to the Kennedy family and the names that go along with them, such as the model of a whaling ship from Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

If you are interested in JFK’s foreign policy, you will want to catch the museum’s film on the Cuban Missile Crisis, a 15-minute compilation of news clips and speeches documenting this perilous event. For those who recall (either via personal experience or history class) the crisis but have since forgotten its severity, the film is sobering reminder of how close our nation came to nuclear war. Younger students of American history will be rightfully impressed.

We found the museum’s tribute to Robert Kennedy one of the most moving aspects of the collection. "Attorney General’s Office" is fashioned with this younger brother’s desk, photos and briefcase, and his role in JFK’s administration is documented by photos and memoranda. The exhibit highlights the close bond that existed between these two men, both tragically assassinated before their contribution to the country was complete.

Finally, devotees of Jackie (of which there are obviously many, as a recent trip proved) will enjoy the exhibit dedicated to her.

Who Should Visit the JFK Museum
We especially recommend a visit to the museum for out-of-towners interested in getting a feel for Massachusetts and modern American politics, since both have been strongly influenced by JFK and the Kennedy family.

Hours, Fees and Special Events
The JFK Museum welcomes visitors from 9 AM to 5 PM, every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For admission fees and exhibit information, visit the Library and Museum web site.

The museum is easily reachable by car or subway; call (617) 929-4500 for directions from all points. Although we usually don't recommend driving to attractions in the Boston area, we do recommend taking a car here, as ample parking is available and T passengers are required to take a shuttle from the station.

The National Archives hosts a number of special events at the JFK Museum, including author lectures and book signings, workshops and screenings of historical films. Since the museum is also an archive, students of American history are invited to use the resources during normal business hours.

by Allyson Krieger

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