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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
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-AR6620-K
President John F. Kennedy’s birthday party celebration at the National Guard Armory. President Kennedy’s birthday cake sits in the foreground. Seated at the head table, L-R: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sam Rayburn (Texas); President Kennedy; Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), John M. Bailey; two unidentified; Attorney General, Robert F. Kennedy; unidentified; Postmaster General, J. Edward Day; unidentified; Secretary of Labor, Arthur Goldberg. The fund-raising dinner was given by the DNC and the Democratic Senatorial and Congressional Campaign Committees.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-AR6620-J
President John F. Kennedy’s birthday party celebration at the National Guard Armory. L-R: Secretary of Labor, Arthur Goldberg; Senator Hubert H. Humphrey (Minnesota); comedian, Jerry Lewis; Patti Palmer. The fund-raising dinner was given by the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Senatorial and Congressional Campaign Committees.