Our nation's 35th president, John F. Kennedy, is perhaps remembered best for his assassination in 1963. But, there is so much more that deserves to be remembered, and the JFK Library and Museum is a great place to start!
The Library and Museum
At the library, you can relive one of the most exciting campaigns in US presidential history. The permanent Campaign Trail exhibit features a virtual Main Street USA where you can listen to campaign speeches by both JFK and Nixon, watch television footage from the era, and feel as though you were a part of this defining moment in history.
JFK was also at the forefront of American space exploration, so there’s an entire exhibit dedicated to The Space Race. In 1961, JFK challenged America to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade and pull ahead of the Soviet rivals. He believed with the strong commitment of a free people, we could get there first (and we did). This exhibit houses the Mercury MR-3 Freedom 7 space capsule, which was the first vessel to carry an American into space.
Equally as interesting as JFK himself is his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy. She made strides in the fields of art and history as one of America’s youngest First Ladies, and there’s an entire exhibit dedicated to her and her efforts. You can see memorabilia from her childhood, mementos from her leadership roles, and actual fashion pieces she wore as one of America’s biggest fashion icons.
The library is highly accessible to visitors. It is open seven days a week from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the exception of New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas. Regular admission for adults is $14, but there are various discounts for children, college students, senior citizens, and veterans. If you join the museum (prices vary), you can visit anytime you like for free!
The Surrounding Area
The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum is located in Boston, so if you’re planning a day trip to the library, there are a multitude of activities you can do after you’ve finished your tour. To keep the historical theme going, head on over to Paul Revere’s house or Freedom Trail. If the museum was enough history for one day, catch a game at Fenway Park.
(Featured Image via Facebook)
