"AN UNASSUMING 2 STORY HOUSE WITH GREEN SHINGLES"

JFK BIRTHPLACE BECOMES NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On May 26, 1967, the house at 83 Beals Street located in the Boston suburb of Brookline where President John F. Kennedy was born was proclaimed a National Historic Site by the National Park Service. 

The home, previously designated as a National Historic Landmark was described as...

"an unassuming, two-story house with green shingles and a yellow porch with columns...distinguished from the other houses around it only by an American flag flying outside."

The house was opened to the public on May 29, 1969.  It was here JFK was delivered by Kennedy family physician Dr. Frederick Good at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on May 29, 1917.  The birth took place in the upstairs bedroom so that, in Rose Kennedy's words, the doctor would have a good light.

JFK+50 NOTE
  
When we visited the home in 1986, I was particularly impressed with the story Rose Kennedy told (on the 18 minute recording visitors listen to on the tour) of the picture book about a goat named Billy Whiskers* which JFK loved. The adventure book stirred his interest in world travel.  

*Billy Whiskers is described as a children's favorite dating back to the early 20th century.  The picture book features a "mischievous goat" named Billy Whiskers.  Rose Kennedy was not a big fan of the book, but obviously her son Jack was.

SOURCES

"John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site/Massachusetts," National Park Service Brochure, 1986.

"John Fitzgerald Kennedy NHS/Massachusetts, www.nps.gov/

"The Kennedys of Beals Street," by Tony Fusco, Collectibles Illustrated, November/December 1983

             

JFK Birthplace

RR Creations, Inc.

Open Window Collection (1993)

Photo by John White  

Billy Whiskers Kids

Frances Trego Montgomery

JFK Historical Site (2013)

Posted by David R. Daly
             

           

            

HAPPY MOM'S DAY

MOTHER'S DAY 2016

Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) Today we celebrate "Mother's Day" in the United States on this 2nd Sunday of May.    One of the earliest suggestions for a day to honor mothers in our country came in the form of a proclamation issued in 1870 by Julia Ward Howe.

It was Anna Jarvis of Grafton, West Virginia, however, who made this day possible.  Ms. Jarvis proposed a day in which each American family would honor their own mothers.

The first Mother's Day service was held on May 10, 1908 and in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it a national holiday.  Ironically, Ms. Jarvis came to regret her efforts because of the commercialization of the holiday.*

Anna Jarvis

Photo from ambassadors.net

Honoring JFK's Mother, Mrs. Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Mrs. Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (1890-1995) was born in Boston, the eldest child of John and Mary Fitzgerald.  She married Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. on October 7, 1914.  The Kennedys had nine children, JFK being the second.

In 1987, in celebration of his grandmother's 97th birthday, Representative Joseph Kennedy II said that she was "the magnet that always pulled us together as a family.  Grandmother's so strong and  just a tremendous inspiration to all of us".

Rose Kennedy died at the age of 104 on January 22, 1995.

ROSE MARRIES JOE KENNEDY

JFK+50:  Volume 5, No. 1736

KENNEDY-FITZGERALD WEDDING 101 YEARS AGO TODAY

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) The parents of a future President of the United States, Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy, exchanged marriage vows one hundred and one years ago today, October 7, 1914.

The Mayor of the city of Boston, Massachusetts, John "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, gave away his daughter Rose.  The marriage ceremony was held in the private chapel of William Cardinal O'Connell at 25 Granby Street at 9 a.m. 

Rose wore a white satin gown and her sister, Agnes, served as Maid of Honor while Mr. Kennedy's Harvard classmate, Joseph Donovan, was Best Man.

According to Time magazine's article by James Graham* published last year, Mayor Fitzgerald "had doubts about" his daughter's choice, but writes that it was a good thing that Miss Fitzgerald did not share those doubts. 

Three of Joe and Rose's nine children became United States senators and one became President of the United States.

James Graham writes...

"Their wedding probably influenced the course of American history more than any before or since."

Mr. Graham adds that other Kennedy children, Joe Junior, Kathleen, Patricia and Jean made distinctive contributions in public service.

SOURCE

"The Wedding That Changed American History," by James W. Graham.  October 7, 2014, www.time.com/3462557/Kennedy-wedding/

Fitzgerald-Kennedy Wedding

October 7, 1914

SUMMER WEEKEND AT HYANNIS

KENNEDYS HOST GLENN FAMILY AT HYANNISPORT

Hyannisport, Massachusetts (JFK+50) NASA astronaut John Glenn along with his wife and family were entertained 52 years ago today, July 22, 1962, by President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy here at the summer White House in Hyannisport*.

Victura

JFK Library

Photo by John White (1986)^

^Originally from a slide taken from my Minolta SRT101.

Members of the Glenn family were taken on cruises and enjoyed water skiing.

The President, unfortunately, had a mishap when his sailboat, Victura**, ran aground near the family compound and also when the mainsail collapsed during relaunch.

Victura

JFK Library

Photo by John White (1986)

*Hyannisport is a small village located in Barnstable and Hyannis, MA.  The residential community has a population of 115 with 193 housing units, although the majority are unoccupied much of the time due to seasonal use.

HP is the location of the Kennedy Compound which includes the home on Nantucket Sound once owned by Mr. Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.  The main house was donated in 2012 to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.

JFK Sailing on the Victura

Mural at the JFK Library

Photo by John White (1986)

**James W. Graham has written a book just recently published by Fore Edge, University Press of New England titled "Victura:  The Kennedys, a Sailboat and the Sea."  Mr. Graham writes...

"To truly understand the dynamics and magic of the Kennedy family, one must understand the intense relationship with sailing and the sea."

          

ROSE FITZGERALD BORN IN BOSTON 

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) The mother of the 35th President of the United States, Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald Kennedy, was born 124 years ago today, July 22, 1890 at 4 Garden Court Street here in Boston's North End.

Rose's parents were John F. and Mary Josephine Fitzgerald.  Rose studied piano at the New England Conservatory and attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Manhattanville, New York.

Rose met Joe Kennedy in Old Orchard, Maine in 1906 and after a long courtship, Rose married Joseph P. Kennedy on October 7, 1914. 

Rose later recalled...

"I fell in love when I was seventeen and I never fell out."

Rose's father, John F. "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, then the Mayor of Boston, did not share his daughter's love for Joe and the wedding ceremony was held in private attended only by family and the closest friends.

The couple began their marriage living in Brookline and would eventually have 9 children,  one of them becoming president and two others becoming United States Senators.  

Rose was a devout Catholic who almost always attended Sunday Mass.  She died at the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port on January 22, 1995.

The funeral was held at St. Stephen's Church on January 24 in Boston's North End where Rose had been born.

Her surviving son, Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy spoke to the 800 people who came to pay their respects to his mother.  He said...

"She has gone to God.  She is home.  And at this moment, she is happily presiding at a heavenly table with both of her Joes, with Jack and Kathleen, with Bobby and David.

And as she did all our lives, whether it was when I walked back through the rain from school as a child, or when a  president who was her son came back to Hyannis Port, she will be there ready to welcome the rest of us home someday."

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, who left behind 30 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren, was buried in Brookline's Holyhood Cemetery next to her husband Joe.

Rose and Jack

December 6, 1962

Photo by Abbie Rowe/JFK Library

JFK Library Photo

94th ANNIVERSARY OF JFK'S BIRTH

May 29, 2011


94th ANNIVERSARY OF JFK'S BIRTH


Today JFK+50 honors the 94th anniversary of the birth of the 35th President of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy.


In a break with the normal format, on this special day we will devote the entire posting to JFK.*


*Personal Note:


We received word last night that my 1st cousin, Jim White, has been admitted to the hospital in Kingsport, Tennessee with a heart condition.  Word came this morning that they have unblocked an artery & he is doing much better.  Jim is author of "Tennessee Grandaddy" & he has been such a great help to me with my blog.  


May 29, 1917


JOHN F. KENNEDY BORN IN BROOKLINE


Mr. & Mrs. Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. announced today the birth of their 2nd child, John Fitzgerald Kennedy.


JFK was born at the family home at 83 Beals Street in the Brookline section of Boston, Massachusetts.


The child is the namesake of his grandfather, John F. "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, the former mayor of Boston.*


*The Fitzgeralds are on a much higher political & social status than the Kennedys in 1917.


The baby boy, however, will be called "Jack".

            Jack Kennedy at 6 months
        Photo hangs in master bedroom
          JFK Birthplace Historic Site


Jack has an older brother, Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. who is known as "Joe Jr".

       Brothers Jack & Joe Junior
        At home at 83 Beals Street
         Brookline, Massachusetts


The birth came at 3 in the afternoon in the 2nd floor master bedroom.  The twin bed nearest the window was chosen to give the best light.


Dr. Frederick Good is the family obstetrician who delivered Jack.


The proud father, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., is the 28 year old president of Columbia Trust Bank in East Boston.  He is a graduate of Harvard.


Joe Sr.'s dad, Patrick J. Kennedy, was a ward boss & Irish-American community leader in Boston.


All the Boston Kennedys emigrated to America in the 1840s to escape the Irish potato famine.


MAY 29, 1917


THE HOUSE WHERE JFK WAS BORN


John F. Kennedy was born at the family home at 83 Beals Street in Brookline.

JFK Birthplace National Historic Site
                 83 Beals Street
        Brookline, Massachusetts


Joseph & Rose Kennedy have lived in the home since their marriage in 1914.  Mr. Kennedy paid $6500 for the house which was built in 1909.


Mrs. Kennedy says she loves the "space & air" of the community but it does require a 15 minute walk to reach the trolley line.*


*The house at 83 Beals Street will be JFK's home for his 1st 4 years of life. In 1921, the Kennedys move to a larger house in the same neighborhood. 


JFK is christened on June 19, 1917 at nearby St. Aidan's Catholic Church where Joe Jr. & Jack will be altar boys.


JFK attends the Edward Devotion School, Noble & Greenough Lower School & the Dexter School.


The Kennedys move to Riverdale, New York in 1927.

       National Park Service Program


"THE KENNEDYS OF BEALS STREET"


"Intimately modest & furnished in original Kennedy family heirlooms & period reproductions, the home (at 83 Beals Street in Brookline) conveys a sense of familiarity.

"Old fashioned phone in the hallway"


The beds are covered with Irish linen bedspreads embroidered with thistles, shamrocks & other Irish symbols.


Mrs. Rose Kennedy (who conducts visitors through the home by way of a recorded tape) says:


'We were happy here, & although we did not know about the days ahead, we were enthusiastic & optimistic about the future.'"


The house (sold to a family friend in 1927) was repurchased by the Kennedys in 1966.  It has been restored to the original 1917 appearance with the supervision of Rose Kennedy. 


In 1967, the house was donated to the people of the United States."*


*Text from an article by Tony Fusco by the same title which appeared in the November/December 1983 issue of "Collectibles Illustrated".

        Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy 
Speaks at JFK Birthplace Dedication 
National Park Service Photo (1969)


May 29, 2011


NPS OFFERS ON-LINE VIRTUAL TOUR OF JFK BIRTHPLACE


When we visited the JFK Birthplace for the 1st time in July 1986, the admission fee was 50 cents & there was only a single National Park Service ranger there to greet you.


I had my new JVC color camcorder with me & asked if I would be able to use it in the home.  The ranger said it would be fine.  This is no longer true today as there is a restriction on the use of cameras.


The JVC used a 20 minute VHS tape.  I still have it today.  I was able to get all of the rooms on the tape while the voice of Ms. Rose Kennedy is in the background.


If you do not have opportunity to visit the historic site, you can go to the National Park Service website & take an "on-line virtual tour" (for free).  


Amazingly, it is the exact same audio that I recorded on my JVC in 1986.*


*The link is www.nps.gov/jofi/index.htm.

     National Park Service Photo (1974)


July 21, 1999


VISITORS PAY TRIBUTE TO JFK, JR. AT JFK BIRTHPLACE 


 "A gentle rain fell...as mourners found their way to the green-shingled house on a quiet Brookline street.


They felt compelled to come....to the birthplace & 1st home of America's forever-young president...to mourn the loss of John F. Kennedy, Jr."*


*From Sun-Sentinel.com

JFK & JFK Jr. at The White House
            October 10, 1963
    Photo by Cecil Stoughton


May 29, 1961


JFK CELEBRATES 44th BIRTHDAY


President John F. Kennedy celebrated his 44th birthday today at a dinner in his honor at the Commonwealth Armory in Boston, Massachusetts.


JFK's guests included his priest, Richard Cardinal Cushing & the obstetrician who delivered him 44 years ago, Dr. Frederick Good.*


*Dr. Good actually delivered all 9 of the Kennedy children.


Poet Robert Frost, who spoke at JFK's inaugural in January, was also present.


In his speech at the armory, the President talked of his upcoming trip to France.  He said:


"(a) close relationship must exist between France & the United States if the cause of freedom in the Atlantic community is to be preserved."*


*please check "JFK's Daily Wit" for another quote from his speech.

       JFK, De Gaulle & 1st Lady
       Elysee Palace, Paris (1961)
            JFK Library Photo


May 29, 1962


JFK CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY AT GLEN ORA


President John F. Kennedy is celebrating his 45th birthday today at the presidential retreat, Glen Ora near Middleburg, Virginia.


Arriving by helicopter with the President were Robert & Ethel Kennedy, Jean Kennedy Smith & Sargent & Eunice Shriver.


May 29, 1963


JFK CELEBRATES 46th BIRTHDAY


President John F. Kennedy celebrated his 46th birthday today at the White House.


JFK was honored with a birthday cake at a party in the White House Navy Mess Hall.


In the evening, the President, along with 20 close friends & associates, continued the birthday celebration aboard the presidential yacht Sequoia.

.