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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.
Collection
PCP
Photographs, 1919-1963 (bulk 1937-1963). Photographs of John F. Kennedy, his family, his friends and colleagues, and his political activities. Contains photographs of Kennedy's early years, family homes, his naval service during World War II, and his political activities in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. The largest portions of this collection cover Kennedy's Senate Years (1953-1960), and the 1960 Presidential Campaign.
Collection
LMPC
Photographs, 1957-1963. 8” x 10” black-and-white prints. Images made by LOOK Magazine, Cowles Communications, Inc., featuring John F. Kennedy at various events during his tenure as Senator through his presidency. Members of the Kennedy family, Kennedy administration and foreign dignitaries also appear.