museums

Just a few minutes’ walk from our house, the Boston campus of the University of Massachusetts sits along the Boston waterfront, sparkling blue, a beautiful place for a walk, run, or bike ride.

I spent some of my winter marathon training running around the campus, but other than that I don’t spend much time there. Yesterday I decided to change that by paying my third visit to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. With the weather being amazing, it was the perfect day to take a walk by the ocean, and being it was St. Patrick’s Day, the museum was actually offering a discount. 

I arrived at the museum, bought my ticket, got my camera out (sans flash), and started to explore. First I visited the special visit marking the anniversary of JFK’s inauguration. You’ll see that I got behind the podium to give my inaugural speech

Then I started through the permanent exhibits, beginning with the campaign for President.

Through to the election

The next exhibit was the inauguration, including Jacqueline Kennedy’s inauguration dress. While the entire museum is inspiring, I have a certain soft spot for Jackie Kennedy’s fashion and other items.

The food blogger in me had to take a photo of the inaugural luncheon menu. I was happy to see New England stuffed lobster on there!

I love this image of JFK and RFK at the White House.

After that, I moved on to the exhibit dedicated to Jacqueline Kennedy.

It contains some clothing and many articles about this elegant and much-loved First Lady.

The walls are lined with photographs of Jacqueline’s life, including the gorgeous photos above of her debut to Newport society and her reading with daughter Caroline.

Next up was the JFK in Ireland exhibit. Once a special exhibit all its own, it now has a smaller piece of real estate in the museum, but it is pretty moving and special.

In the same room hangs a large photo of the entire Kennedy family. The museum is certainly a great place for people who love old photographs.

The museum then turns dark, with a tunnel of television screens featuring Walter Kronkite’s broadcast the day of President Kennedy’s assassination.

It is followed by a room showing photos of Kennedy memorials and tributes around the world.

The exhibits end with portions dedicated to the late Senator Edward Kennedy, Teddy to us in Massachusetts and the Profiles in Courage award.

The main area of the museum is absolutely stunning. I want someone I know to get married there. With a view of the bay where blue sky meets beautiful ocean, it is a place that is peaceful and uplifting.

Thus concluded my tour of the JFK Presidential Library. I followed it with a long walk along the water, raising my face to the sun and not caring a bit if I got burnt, just for one day. I honestly felt like it would never be warm again. I am back to loving New England.

Have you ever been to the JFK Presidential Library?