Tufts Blogs

When I was four years old, my grandfather handed me a placemat. Staring back at me from that plastic sheet were the faces of the (then) 44 presidents of the United States.

I have no idea why my grandfather decided to make a four-year-old memorize the presidents, but, in any case, he succeeded. Within six months, I was reciting the presidents forward and backward. And so, while other kids watched Spongebob and played Minecraft, I read about Chester A. Arthur and told fun facts about Martin Van Buren.

Needless to say, then, I have long admired John F. Kennedy, the nation’s 35th president. Before I came to Tufts, my AP US History teacher suggested that I visit his presidential library, since it is located in Boston. So, during the long Veteran’s Day weekend, four of my friends and I ventured to Columbia Point on Boston Harbor to learn about one of America’s most storied figures. 

Since the museum is located on the campus of UMass Boston in the eastern part of the city, taking the T would have taken close to two hours. Thus, we decided to split an Uber. Setting out around 10:15, we got to the museum just before 10:45. Before entering, we took a stroll along the Boston Harbor Walk. With the sun beating down on us, we marveled at the natural beauty of the harbor, took in UMass Boston’s green campus, and gazed at the towering skyscrapers of Downtown Boston in the distance. Though it was mid-November, the weather was mild and it was a beautiful day.

Walking up to the museum’s entrance, the architecture immediately struck us. Utterly majestic, the solid-white block of the museum’s left side formed a stark contrast with the massive windows overlooking the water. As we entered, I snapped a photo with the presidential seal (one of many such "official" photos I would take). 

As Massachusetts college students, our entrance fee was just six dollars. Since we visited on a Sunday morning, the museum was not crowded, and we entered quickly. All visitors were given a sticker with the presidential seal on it to wear throughout their tour. Our first stop was a movie theater, where we watched a film that described Kennedy’s life from his childhood until the 1960 Democratic National Convention. The museum primarily chronicles Kennedy’s presidency and legacy, so the film provided necessary background information. 

The first exhibit showcased the 1960 election campaign and Kennedy’s debate with Richard Nixon. It was fascinating to see artifacts of the time period, from television sets to vacuum cleaners. Following Kennedy’s victory (surprise!), we watched him deliver his famous inaugural address. The paper copy of the speech was my favorite artifact that I saw at the museum, and I snapped a picture of the legendary “Ask not what your country can do for you …” line. 

Next, we entered a re-created version of the White House to learn about the events of Kennedy’s presidency. There was a mock Oval Office with a Resolute Desk, a room discussing the White House press corps, and another massive presidential seal. The various rooms discussed foreign and domestic elements of Kennedy’s presidency, from the Cold War to the Peace Corps to his relations with Latin American countries to his advocacy for space exploration. Also, we watched another film that documented the 13 days of the Cuban Missile Crisis, a truly heart-pounding experience. Moreover, we learned about Robert F. Kennedy, the president’s younger brother and Attorney General, and the First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, two remarkable figures. 

The museum concluded with footage of Kennedy’s tragic assassination on November 22, 1963. The newsreels from that day were utterly gut-wrenching. Nonetheless, the exhibits ended on a positive note. Kennedy’s legacy as a figure of hope and courage was underscored, as the recipients of the museum’s Profiles in Courage Award, who carry on President Kennedy’s values, were displayed.

We stopped by the last two, seasonal exhibits (one on Ernest Hemingway and one on World War II veterans) before ending our journey in the window-dominated atrium. With floor-to-ceiling windows propped up by steel beams and featuring a gargantuan American flag draped from the roof, the atrium seemed to call attention to the strength and resilience of America, which President Kennedy embodied. It is a downright powerful space and a fantastic feat of architecture, and I cannot recommend enough spending a few extra moments there. 

After making a quick stop at the gift shop, we concluded our visit by strolling around UMass Boston’s stunning but silent campus. I always find it interesting to visit other college campuses, of which there are quite a lot in the Boston area. From the Campus Center, we called our Uber back to Tufts, recounting all that we had just seen on the ride back to campus. 

Whether you are a history buff or not, I highly recommend making the trip out to Columbia Point and visiting the museum. While Washington, D.C. may be the capital, Boston is America’s historic beating heart, something that is apparent everywhere you go in the city. The city's history is an essential part of its culture, and it is incredible that, in the museum, there is an epicenter of modern American history, not to mention a bastion of stunning architecture, under 30 minutes from Tufts. 

And so, my fellow Jumbos, ask not what your school can do for you … ask what you can do for your school. 

Photo Credit: Max Druckman