The John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum and Library is the official repository for official papers and correspondence of the Kennedy Administration, as well as materials by and about Ernest Hemmingway. It can be found with your Boston car rental next to the Boston campus of the University of Massachusetts.

Find your place in history

The site of the museum was chosen during a weekend visit to Boston in 1963 by President Kennedy. At the time, there were only four other presidential libraries in the nation, and they were in small towns. Kennedy wanted his to be near scholarly resources. The president was assassinated only a month after this piece of land was chosen. But there is ample matter for the museum as he encouraged his administration to save both personal and professional affects of his administration, which has made up much of the collection.

A collection of events that led to the museum

After the President was assassinated, work began on the museum. When you visit with your Boston car rental you will learn that there was a lot of money pledged to the project and many people put a lot of work into it. Robert F> Kennedy announced that a taped oral history would be part of the project, with staff, family, friends, and politicians making contributions from home and abroad. The massive support to start eventually slowed down as time passed, and there were significant delays as time passed. Although the land was purchased and the architect selected, the money that was collected did not cover all of the costs. In 1975, plans for the building were dropped and a new location selected.

Ask not what your country can do for you

When you visit with your Boston car rental, the first floor features video monitors, family photographs, and political memorabilia. There is a film narrated by President Kennedy as well as a documentary about the Cuban Missile Crisis. Then you move into the permanent exhibits, which includes the US Space Program during Project Mercury, talks given to the public, on the campaign trail, the Kennedy family, and a section dedicated to the First Lady. After, you find yourself in a glass pavilion on the way to the temporary exhibits. In the summer, the Kennedy's sailboat Victura is on display outside.

Hear their voices

The oral history project that began in 1964 was supposed to have 150 participants, but over 1100 interviews were taken and the project continues today. Only one person refused to be interviewed, a secret service agent. It is interesting to read the passages as well as listen to the tapes because some of transcripts are different.

Plan your visit

The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. There is parking available for your Boston car rental.