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Textual folder
Kennedy Family Collection
KFC-086-001
This scrapbook, compiled to commemorate the establishment, construction, and dedication of the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., Home for Children in the Bronx, New York, documents the life and naval career of Lieutenant Kennedy and the early history of the Home for Children that was named in his honor. The cover displays the engraving, "Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. / Home for Children / Bronx, New York." Newspaper clippings cover Lieutenant Kennedy’s enlistment and commission as ensign in the United States Naval Reserve; his death while piloting a U.S. Navy aircraft over Blythburgh, East Suffolk, England; his posthumous receipt of the Navy Cross; the launching of the U.S.S. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., naval destroyer; the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., Foundation’s donation to the Archdiocese of New York for the establishment of the Home for Children; and the Home’s blessing and dedication on October 29, 1950. Photographs capture Lieutenant Kennedy posing in his Harvard University football uniform; receiving his wings from his father, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.; wearing his flight jacket; and standing in flight gear with his airplane. Also pictured are interior, exterior, and aerial views of the Home for Children’s buildings; children and staff using the Home’s various facilities; Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Francis Spellman, and members of the Kennedy family at the blessing and dedication ceremony, including Joseph, Sr., Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Eunice Kennedy, Patricia Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy and his wife, Ethel Kennedy, and Jean Kennedy; the unveiling of a portrait of Lieutenant Kennedy and a bronze plaque bearing his citation for the Navy Cross; the groundbreaking for the Home’s new chapel-gymnasium on March 5, 1951; children participating in a radio broadcast charity campaign; the Home’s first graduates; and children meeting the Mayor of New York City, Vincent R. Impellitteri. Other items of note are an invitation to and a program for the Home’s dedication ceremony. This scrapbook contains 27 photographic prints, ten newspaper clippings, one invitation, and one program.
Textual folder
Kennedy Family Collection
KFC-083-001
This scrapbook, compiled by Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, documents the christening and launching of the U.S.S. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., on July 26, 1945, at the Bethlehem Steel Company’s Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts; the United States Navy destroyer was named in honor of Rose’s son, Lt. Joseph P. “Joe” Kennedy, Jr., a naval aviator who was killed in action in 1944. The title on the front cover reads, “U.S.S. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. / Launched July 26, 1945.” The cover also features a patch with two gold stripes and a gold star above the stripes. Newspaper clippings cover the events of the day, and photographs capture Kennedy family members who were present at the launch, including Rose; her husband, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.; and her children, Eunice Kennedy, Patricia Kennedy, Jean Kennedy (who served as the ship’s sponsor), and Edward M. “Teddy” Kennedy. Of note are photographs of Boston Mayor Maurice J. Tobin delivering remarks during the launching ceremony; Jean christening the destroyer by breaking a bottle of champagne against its bow; Jean with two “maids of honor,” her cousin, Mary Jo Gargan, and family friend, Mary Carroll Mann, who assisted her in her role as sponsor; and Rose, Joe, Sr., Eunice, Patricia, Jean, Teddy, and Robert F. Kennedy receiving an oil painting of the vessel from Edward C. Geehr, assistant general manager of the shipyard. Also of note is a color chromogenic print of Lieutenant Kennedy wearing his naval uniform. Loose materials found between the leaves of the album include a handwritten note in black ink to Teddy from Kennedy family friends, Edward E. “Eddie” Moore and Mary Moore; four sheets of blank letterhead from Le Domaine de Ranguin in Mougins, France; and a newspaper clipping about lend-lease aid. This scrapbook contains 83 newspaper clippings, 18 photographic prints, four sheets of letterhead, and one handwritten note.