JFK 100 Press Release

Date: January 10, 2017
Contact: Jim Roberts, 617-566-7937

One Hundred Years of Kennedy: A Birthplace Centennial

 
On May 29, 1917, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born at 83 Beals Street in Brookline, Massachusetts. A navy veteran, congressman, senator, and the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy is remembered, among other things, for his iconic speeches that inspired Americans to new heights of exploration and service. On the occasion of his 100th birthday, we commemorate his remarkable life and legacy.
 
Throughout the year in 2017, John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site will celebrate with special events and offerings. Onsite we will debut a new orientation film and exhibit in May 2017. We are also partnering with the community to offer activities throughout Brookline.  We anticipate having a full schedule of events and activities by the month of March. On May 29, 2017, the site will feature special programs, commemorations and tours of the president’s birthplace.
 
John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site is the birthplace and early boyhood home of John Kennedy. The modest house was the first home shared by the president’s father and mother, Joseph P. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, and represents the social and political beginnings of one of America’s most prominent families. Joe and Rose’s high expectations, belief in human agency, and commitment to family and country shaped the home environment in which young Jack Kennedy defined himself.  During these Brookline years, Kennedy developed a strong sense of self and character that inspired his life in public service.
 
Today, the birthplace home is preserved and protected by the National Park Service. Rangers offer guided tours of the house with its display of household furnishings, photographs, and significant mementos personally collected by Mrs. Rose Kennedy. Many pieces in the museum collection are original to the 1914-1920 historic period, reflecting the lifestyle and interests of the Kennedy family. A narrative tour produced by Mrs. Kennedy provides an evocative glimpse of family life in the early years. Together, the boyhood homes, historic neighborhood, and associated Brookline landmarks offer visitors the opportunity to explore the formative influences on young John Kennedy.

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