Growing up in Massachusetts, you learn to either live with or adore the Kennedy family. They are EVERYWHERE it seems, and many visitors like to visit places related to the family. It is no surprise, then, that Boston was chosen as the location for President John F. Kennedy’s library. What is surprising is that I had never been to this museum until last week! Sure, I’ve toured through its amazing collection and seen Ernest Hemingway’s bullfighting photos next to Bobby Kennedy’s LP collection…but I had not ever toured it.  As an added bonus, there are two other museums located within walking distance from the Library: The Commonwealth Museum and the brand new Edward M. Kennedy Institute. I decided with Eric back at work, that a day of museums would be a good way to keep me from watching reruns of Law & Order: SVU for the millionth time (seriously, how addictive are those stupid shows!)

First up was the EMK Institute with its brand new museum smell. Walking in, I was greeted immediately by staff members with information on where to go and what would be happening that day. Everyone was super nice and eager, which is a great thing for a random Tuesday in late August. After the orientation film, they had us use the tablets that we were given at the entrance to take a selfie, choose a state, and then declare our party affiliation as we were now “Senators in Training!” Touring through the museum, we were able to “earn” pins after completing a training or learning more about an aspect of the Senate or Kennedy’s life.

Overall, it was incredibly well done. The staff continued to be enthusiastic as you went deeper into the museum and were not afraid to talk about touchy subjects with people such as immigration or civil rights.  To give people an idea of what we would be doing later on, staff reenacted the historic Civil Rights vote just after the assassination of President Kennedy when his younger brother, Senator Kennedy, made his maiden speech on the floor of the Senate.  I did not know this, but many freshman senators wait until the 2nd or 3rd year before making a statement to the rest of their colleagues; Kennedy waited just 18 months.

As the “climax” of the visit, we were all invited to come back to the recreation of the Senate and take part in a debate and vote over a bill that is being debated right now: S 153 . After having two of the actors present a synopsis of the pro and con speeches given by actual Senators, the floor was open to the visitors. This was a terrifying moment for many of the visitors, but 4 brave souls stood up and gave their opinions. We were then able to vote, ironically ending in a tie that needed the “Senate President” to break.

After finishing my visit there, I went over to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. Walking through the entrance, you are greeted with sweeping views of the Boston Harbor and incredible light. The Library is split between the museum and research facility for scholars and politicians.

After watching a short orientation film, you walk into an exhibit telling the story of Kennedy’s pivotal election in 1960 over Richard Nixon. Many of the other people in the exhibit were old enough to have either voted for Kennedy or be alive when he was assassinated, so there was a hushed and nostalgic feel to the space.

One of the cool spots in the museum was a recreation of some of the spaces in the White House including the briefing room where you got to learn about topics that JFK had to deal with in his tenure. Attempting to match your answer to JFK’s was slightly difficult, I matched with Jackie Robinson first 🙂 There is also a room dedicated to the space program and another for the Peace Corps. Perhaps fitting given the recent news, the exhibit ends with a room dedicated to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Are you an NPS Passport Stamp collector? Stop by the front desk of the Library to get your stamp commemorating your visit to the site!

Tips for a great visit:

• Be prepared to participate!
• There are limited food options at the Institute, but a bit more at the Library.
• There is free parking located right next to the two museums, but you can also take the Red Line to JFK stop and take the free shuttle bus over.
• MA Residents can get a discounted ticket at the EMK Institute AND if you go to the JFK Library on the same day, you get a discounted entrance there.