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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-AUG-01
In this interview Heckscher discusses John F. Kennedy [JFK] and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis as an “inspiration to cultural life”; Heckscher’s involvement in government affairs prior to becoming a Special Consultant to the President; the invitation of 168 artists to JFK’s 1961 inauguration and its impact; how Heckscher came to work for the White House; discussing Heckscher’s position with Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.; the reasoning behind the creation of the new position of Special Consultant on the Arts and the favorable public reaction to it; enlarging the definition of “The Arts,” especially regarding architecture; Arthur Goldberg; the establishment of the Freedom Medal; creating the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts through executive order; personal impressions of JFK; setting up Heckscher’s office and staff; how Heckscher was meant to advise JFK and what his position entailed; the Cultural Center [Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts]; conversations with JFK; Mrs. Kennedy’s expansive work for the arts; the arts as part of national policy; working with other White House staff members and other Departments; designing special postage stamps; what the President’s role in the arts should be; and the Fine Arts Commission, among other issues.
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1963-05-29-L
ST24, KN35
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1963-09-07-B
ST29
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1963-04-04-E
ST22
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-11-27-H
ST16, KN26
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-12-12-B
AR30, ST17, KN27
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C28773
President John F. Kennedy arrives at a surprise party thrown by members of the White House staff in honor of his 46th birthday. Left to right: Naval Aide to the President, Captain Tazewell Shepard (in doorway, face hidden); President Kennedy; White House Secret Service agents, John J. “Muggsy” O’Leary (partially hidden) and Clint Hill; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy; First Lady’s Social Secretary, Nancy Tuckerman; four unidentified persons. Navy Mess Hall, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-A2-9-63
President John F. Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and John F. Kennedy, Jr. attend a children’s party on the South Lawn of the White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-A2-8-63
President John F. Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and John F. Kennedy, Jr. attend a children’s party on the South Lawn of the White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-A2-7-63
President John F. Kennedy (drinking from a glass), First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and John F. Kennedy, Jr. attend a children’s party on the South Lawn of the White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25669
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy stand beside the Christmas tree in the North Entrance Hall of the White House, Washington, D.C., during a Christmas party for White House staff.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25243
John F. Kennedy, Jr., plays with a toy telephone during a joint birthday party for him and his sister, Caroline Kennedy; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (mostly in shadow, with back to camera) stands at left in background. West Sitting Hall, White House, Washington, D.C. [Blemish at top center of image is original to the negative.]
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25213
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (center, with back to camera) visits with guests of a joint birthday party for Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, Jr. Caroline (center) stands with several young children in foreground; John, Jr. (center right, with back to camera), walks in background; Kennedy family friend, Shawn Brittle, stands in front of double doors at left. East Wing Corridor, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25212
John F. Kennedy, Jr. (seated in center), opens gifts during a joint birthday party for him and his sister, Caroline Kennedy. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (kneeling) speaks with an unidentified woman at left; Eunice Kennedy Shriver crouches next to John, Jr. East Wing Corridor, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25205
Caroline Kennedy (center right, with back to camera) and John F. Kennedy, Jr. (left of Caroline), open gifts during a joint birthday party in their honor; Maria Shriver sits behind John, Jr. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (center) stands in back with Eunice Kennedy Shriver. East Wing Corridor, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25204
Caroline Kennedy (seated in center) opens gifts during a joint birthday party for her and her brother, John F. Kennedy, Jr.; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy crouches behind her daughter. Maria Shriver (back to camera) stands at left in foreground. East Wing Corridor, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25203
Caroline Kennedy (center right, with back to camera) and John F. Kennedy, Jr. (left of Caroline), open gifts during a joint birthday party in their honor; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy crouches in back with her niece, Maria Shriver. Eunice Kennedy Shriver (leaning down) speaks with an unidentified girl at right. East Wing Corridor, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25201
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (right) visits with an unidentified woman during a joint birthday party for Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, Jr.; John, Jr. (center, with back to camera), watches members of the United States Marine Band, including accordionist Sergeant Major Charles Vincent Corrado, play in background. Nanny to the Kennedy children, Maud Shaw (partially hidden on edge of frame), and Maria Shriver (back to camera) stand at left. East Wing Corridor, White House, Washington, D.C. [Blemishes on image are original to the negative.]
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25200
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (right) hands a wrapped gift to her son, John F. Kennedy, Jr., during a joint birthday party for John, Jr., and Caroline Kennedy; Caroline (partially hidden) stands at center left. Members of the United States Marine Band, including accordionist Sergeant Major Charles Vincent Corrado, play in the background. [Blemishes in upper right corner of image are original to the negative.]
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25199
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (right) visits with young guests of a joint birthday party for Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, Jr. Caroline (back to camera) stands left of her mother; John, Jr. (center, with back to camera), watches members of the United States Marine Band, including accordionist Sergeant Major Charles Vincent Corrado, play in background; Avery Hatcher, son of Associate Press Secretary, Andrew T. Hatcher (on tricycle, with back to camera), stands at right. East Wing Corridor, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25198
Caroline Kennedy (center right, holding several gifts) and John F. Kennedy, Jr. (center left), receive gifts during a joint birthday party in their honor; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (back to camera, holding a wrapped gift) stands at left. Avery Hatcher, son of Associate Press Secretary, Andrew T. Hatcher, sits on a tricycle at right; members of the United States Marine Band, including accordionist Sergeant Major Charles Vincent Corrado, play in the background. East Wing Corridor, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25197
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (left) hands a wrapped gift to her daughter, Caroline Kennedy (center right, partially hidden), during a joint birthday party for Caroline and John F. Kennedy, Jr.; John, Jr. (back to camera), stands right of his mother. White House photographer, Captain Cecil Stoughton (mostly out of frame), stands at far right; members of the United States Marine Band play in the background. East Wing Corridor, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25195
Caroline Kennedy (seated at center left, in background) and John F. Kennedy, Jr. (center right, holding a wrapped gift), open gifts during a joint birthday party in their honor. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (partially hidden on edge of frame, with back to camera) stands at far right; members of the United States Marine Band, including accordionist Sergeant Major Charles Vincent Corrado, play in the background. Also pictured: Maria Shriver; White House photographer, Captain Cecil Stoughton. East Wing Corridor, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25194
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy visits with young guests of a joint birthday party for Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, Jr.; John, Jr. (partially hidden, back to camera), stands left of his mother. Maria Shriver (mostly hidden, wearing blue dress) stands at center right. East Wing Corridor, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25192
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy sits at the table with her daughter, Caroline Kennedy, during a joint birthday party for Caroline and John F. Kennedy, Jr. Avery Hatcher, son of Associate Press Secretary, Andrew T. Hatcher, sits left of Caroline; Maria Shriver sits at left in foreground. Also pictured: White House photographer, Captain Cecil Stoughton; Eunice Kennedy Shriver; Janet Auchincloss; First Lady's Social Secretary, Letitia Baldrige. President’s Dining Room (Residence), White House, Washington, D.C.