MICHIGAN K.I.D.S. | WWW.DNIE.COM
YAK on the road
JANUARY, 2016
Walk in the footsteps of JFK
T
he Yak loves libraries and also loves
learning about presidents.
So of course he enjoyed visiting the
John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum and
Library, headquartered in a modern towering
site (designed by I.M. Pei) overlooking the
Boston Harbor.
President Kennedy was our country’s
35th president and when we made our trip
to Boston, Massachusetts, it was just after
the sad anniversary of his assassination in
November of 1963.
The library and the museum, besides
having space for documents and materials
of his presidency, is designed to give you “a
Photo by Tony Spina
space for reflection” after your tour, explained John F. Kennedy kicks off his 1960 campaign for president at a Labor Day rally in what is now
Kennedy Square in Detroit.
Esther Kohn, the education specialist at the
JFK library and museum.
debate between then-Republican candidate Richard M. Nixon and
That’s one of her favorite spaces; gazing out over the sea, and
Democrat candidate John F. Kennedy. That debate is considered
this president loved the sea.
a milestone in the campaign and Esther notes you can consider
The first museum stop for us was the exhibit on the campaign.
its effect while watching. While both candidates debate the
Esther and other historians agree that this 1960 campaign
issues of the day, they are strikingly different in composure. “It’s
could be called a turning point. You can’t help but feel a little of
compelling,” says Esther to have the visual videos so you can be
the excitement when you see the banners, posters, and campaign
back in time, watching first-hand.
buttons with JFK and the re-creation of the July 1960 convention
Beyond the campaign is a close look at the JFK presidency.
when he was nominated. You’ll also see what a typical campaign
You’ll walk in presidential shoes as you see the Oval Office. But
office looked like at the time. And don’t forget, look up! We almost
you’ll also see what shaped the presidency of JFK, the triumphs
missed it as we walked under a big “Detroit IS FOR KENNEDY”
and the tragedies. A new exhibit had just opened that is called
banner.
“Young Jack” and you’ll see everything from a school desk (he
What drew Esther to work here (she was a teacher) and was
carved his name on it) to “dog tags,” the identification tag that he
special for the Yak touring was that you could see the REAL
wore during his World War II heroics rescuing crew on PT 109.
documents, photos and artifacts. Real life letters help the Yak
A triumph is documented with reference to Michigan, where
understand more about the president. These libraries and
President Kennedy spoke in Ann Arbor about the idea of
museums for presidencies are places of archives, which collect
volunteering and giving back, leading to the founding of the
information and primary sources, said Esther. There are also
Peace Corps.
videos, none more interesting to the Yak than one showing the
You have to remember that JFK’s era was in the typewriter era,
so there are lots of typed papers you’ll see on exhibit. None is more
inspiring than the inaugural address on a cold January day. (You
can hear it on the website.)
In 2016, as the United States prepares for another presidential
election, visiting the JFK Presidential Museum and Library gave us
inspiration. The Yak hopes to visit more presidential museums and
libraries. He’s visited at least four, including our state’s President
Gerald Ford Museum in Grand Rapids. (The library is in Ann Arbor.)
You can make an online visit to the John F. Kennedy Presidential
Museum and Library and explore just like we did.
As Esther told us, what makes any presidential museum
and library special is the wealth of primary (first-hand) sources,
whether letters, films or other material. You’re seeing the original
documents. The interactive website is one of the best we’ve seen!
Check out www.jfklibrary.org.
Visitors can watch President Kennedy’s speeches as if they were
there in person.
By Cathy Collison
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