JFK Library and Museum
 

Permanent Exhibits

Visitors to the museum learn about the career of John F. Kennedy, the challenges he faced, the decisions he made, and his commitment to public life as he speaks for himself on film, video, and sound recordings from the Library's audio-visual collections.

The museum experience begins with an introductory film, narrated by John F Kennedy, in which he discusses his early life and political career, culminating with the 1960 nomination for the presidency.  Visitors then walk through exhibits which are evocative of the period, following John F. Kennedy on the campaign trail, through the events of his inauguration and into the White House.  Exhibits on the Kennedy presidency focus on such hallmarks as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Peace Corps and the Space Program. Exhibits on Attorney General Robert Kennedy and the president’s Oval Office deal primarily with the growing Civil Rights movement of the early 1960’s.  A series of displays highlight first lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s role in the historic restoration of the White House, which culminated with her celebrated televised tour of the President’s House in 1962.

After viewing the exhibit on JFK’s legacy, visitors enter a 115-foot-high imageglass pavilion  where they may enjoy the panorama of ocean, city and sky, while reflecting on what they have seen and heard. On one wall is a quotation from John F. Kennedy's inaugural address:

 

"All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days.
Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days,
nor in the life of this administration,
nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet.
But let us begin."

It is hoped that all who use the Kennedy Library will take from it a deeper appreciation of our system of government and a greater awareness of the benefits and responsibilities of living in a free society.

 

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Special Exhibits

Moon Shot - JFK and Space Exploration

May 16, 2009—May 30, 2010

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first Moon landing and President Kennedy’s grand vision that made the achievement possible

 

In 1961, President Kennedy challenged the nation to land a man on the Moon and return him safely to Earth before the end of the decade. Appealing to the spirit of adventure, to patriotic pride, and to the cause of freedom, his words ignited one of the greatest technological mobilizations in U.S. history. Eight years later, on July 20, 1969, two American astronauts landed on the Moon’s surface. Featuring original documents, photographs, and artifacts, this exhibit illustrates the elements of imagination and engineering that combined to achieve the successful Moon landing.

 

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Poetry and Power - The Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy

January 07, 2009—January 30, 2010

“Poetry and Power” presents documents from the Kennedy Presidential Library Archives that trace the evolution of President Kennedy’s inaugural address. Widely viewed as one of the most enduring inaugural messages in United States history, the speech was meticulously crafted—then worked and reworked—by President-elect John F. Kennedy and his close advisor, Theodore Sorensen.

This exhibit focuses on the drafting of President Kennedy’s inaugural address between the election on November 8, 1960, and the inauguration on January 20, 1961. Many of the notes and drafts provide fascinating glimpses into the drafting process.

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The Making of a President

August 28, 2008—September 30, 2010

The Museum at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library has unveiled The Making of a President, a special display of archival material and Museum objects from the Library's collection that explores those elements of John F. Kennedy's life that prepared him for a career in public service and motivated him to seek the nation's highest elected office.

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Museum Exhibits,Permanent Collection,This page provides an introduction to the museum permanent exhibits and special exhibits.,