Historic Resources Maintenance Plan: Kennedy National Historic Site

Skelton, James

This Historic Resources Management Plan gives information regarding the maintenance of the historic grounds, house, and furnishings at John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site. The grounds of the John F. Kennedy National Historic Site are landscaped in the New England style. However, no information has been found which would suggest that the present landscaping in any way resembles that known by the Kennedys during their 1919-21 residency at the Site. Evidence suggests that the grounds have undergone several changes over the last few years. A Historic Grounds Report is scheduled for the near future and should provide information on the appearance of the grounds. The house, a 2 1/2 story wood frame structure, is described by Mrs, Rose Kennedy in the following manner: "The house was laid out as most of the houses were in those days with a living room, kitchen, the laundry room in the basement. The second floor had the master bedroom which held easily a large bed or twin beds. Adjoining it was a small room which was used as a boudoir or writing room. We also had a guest room and a small study which was later converted into a nursery when the children began to arrive. On the top floor, there were the maids quarters." Mrs. Kennedy's description of how she remembers the house in 1917 is an accurate description of the structure as it appears today. Approximately 1,100 items of furniture and furnishings are housed in the restored rooms on the first and second floors of the housed Only a small percentage of these items are original to the house. The bulk of the collection are either antiques, Kennedy family pieces, period reproductions, or modern acquisitions.

Historic Resources Maintenance Plan: Kennedy National Historic Site

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