Jfk summer home
John F. Kennedy's Residences | JFK Library
Below are listed (chronologically) all of the places in which John F. Kennedy lived. For more information please contact [email protected].
1917-1920
83 Beals Street
Brookline, Massachusetts
1920-1927
131 Naples Road (entrance is now 51 Abbottsford Road)*
Brookline, Massachusetts
(moved September 26, 1927, re: Rose's health cards)
1927-1929
252nd Street and Independence Avenue
Riverdale, New York
(moved September)
1929-1942
294 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York
(bought in May 1929, sold January 1942; estate has since been subdivided)
1929-
Hyannis Port
Rented from 1926-1929, then purchased
1930-1931
Canterbury School
New Milford, Connecticut
1931-1932
Choate House
Choate School
Wallingford, Connecticut
1932-1933
East Cottage
Choate School
Wallingford, Connecticut
1933-1935
West Wing
Choate School
Wallingford, Connecticut
1935-1936
South Reunion Hall, 4th Floor (roommate was Lem Billings)
Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey
1936
Jay-6 Cattle Ranch (summer)
Benson, Arizona
1936-1937
Freshman Dormitory, Weld 32
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
1937-1940
Winthrop House
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
(JFK's roommate was Torbert Macdonald for his sophomore and senior years and Tobert Macdonald, Ben Smith, and Charles Houghton for the first semester junior year. )
1939
American Embassy
14 Princess Garden Gate
London, England
1940
624 Mayfield Avenue
Stanford University
Palo Alto, California
1941
The Lee Sheraton (October)
Washington, DC
1941
Dorchester House
2480 16th Street NW, Room 542
Washington, District of Columbia
(Shared with sister Kathleen)
1942
48 Murray Boulevard
Charleston, South Carolina
1942
815 Tower Apartments
Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois
1942
Motor Boat Squadron
Training Center
Melville, Rhode Island
1943
Jacksonville, Florida
1943-1944
Solomon Islands
1944
Naval Training Center
Miami, Florida
1946
Hotel Bellevue
Boston, Massachusetts
November 1946-January 1947
Hotel Statler
Room 1107
Washington, District of Columbia
1947-
122 Bowdoin Street, Apt.
36
Boston, Massachusetts
January 3, 1947-1950
1528 31st Street (shared with sister Eunice and Billy Sutton)
Georgetown, District of Columbia
1950
1400 34th Street NW
Washington, District of Columbia
1953
3321 Dent Place NW (Dec. 15 leased from Blair Childs)
Washington, District of Columbia
Fall 1955
Hickory Hill
1147 Chain Bridge Road
McLean, Virginia
(Leased Hickory Hill to RFK until 1/1958)
1957
2808 P Street (leased from Joseph Bryan in January/February)
Georgetown, District of Columbia
1957
277 Park Avenue
New York, New York
1958
3307 N Street (entered in January 1958)
Georgetown, District of Columbia
1960
Irving Avenue
Hyannis Port, Massachusetts
1/20/1961-11/22/1963
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, District of Columbia
1961-1962
Glen Ora
Middleburg, Virginia
1963
Wexford (also known as Atoka)
Middleburg, Virginia
Rare Photos of the Kennedy Family Compound in Hyannis Port
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The history of the estate dates back to 1928.
By Janaya Wecker
BettmannGetty Images
When the Kennedys needed to get away from the hectic world of politics for some peace and quiet, there was one place they always went to: Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. The Cape Cod destination has a rich history that first began in 1928, when John F. Kennedy's parents purchased a family home in the area. After JFK, his brother Ted, and his sister Eunice purchased the three surrounding estates, the Kennedy Compound was officially born.
It was at his childhood summer home that the future president—then just 11 years old—learned to love the water. Sailing and swimming along the Nantucket Sound was a beloved annual tradition that was passed on to future generations. To the Kennedys, the area has always been more than just a vacation spot—it's a place of comfort.
It was also the unofficial base for JFK’s winning 1960 presidential campaign, and where his family went to grieve his assassination only three years later.
There have been marriages, family reunions, presidential meetings, and many more memorable moments at Hyannis Port over the years. Though you can't see the Kennedy Compound unless you're on a private boat, walking tour, or a museum visit, these snaps offer a glimpse into what life looked like inside the exclusive retreat years ago.
HistoricalGetty Images
1 of 40
1948
The Kennedys pose outside their Cape Cod getaway during Thanksgiving in 1948. Twenty years earlier, Joseph and Rose Kennedy purchased the cottage they had been renting for two summers. They immediately got to work enlarging and remodeling it to make space for their nine children, and in a matter of no time, transformed it into the sprawling property it is today.
Underwood ArchivesGetty Images
2 of 40
1952
John F. Kennedy and four of his eight siblings—Jean, Pat, Robert, and Eunice—review one of his senate campaign brochures in Hyannis Port.
Their mother made sure to decorate both for livability and style. Bob Luddington, who helped design the home, told Boston.com: "She was particularly, shall I say, keen on the comfort and the flexibility of the furnishings, so that they would be not only decorative but practical."
BettmannGetty Images
3 of 40
1953
Jacqueline Bouvier and JFK smile on the deck of the home shortly after announcing their engagement.
Hy Peskin ArchiveGetty Images
4 of 40
1953
Senator John F. Kennedy relaxes on a floral chair alongside his then-fiancée, as they're interviewed for LIFE magazine in June 1953.
Hy Peskin ArchiveGetty Images
5 of 40
1953
From this angle, the Kennedys' airy windows are on full display. Much of the home is brightly lit, because of the large glass doors and windows that border the rooms.
Hy Peskin ArchiveGetty Images
6 of 40
1953
While preparing for their LIFE interview, JFK and Jackie sit in one of the estate’s living rooms, complete with those same spacious windows and floral curtains.
The main floor contained a sun room, living room, television room, dining room, and guest bedroom.
Hy Peskin ArchiveGetty Images
7 of 40
1953
The politician and his fiancée observe a wall of portraits inside the Massachusetts home. Three months later, they would go on to marry in front of hundreds of guests in Newport, Rhode Island.
Hy Peskin ArchiveGetty Images
8 of 40
1953
JFK reads over documents at the desk in his bedroom. His parents' Hyannis Port home meant a lot to the powerful figure. "I always come back to the Cape and walk on the beach when I have a tough decision to make," he once said, "The Cape is the one place I can think and be alone."
Hy Peskin ArchiveGetty Images
9 of 40
1953
From this side, it's easy to spot the future Mrs. Kennedy through what appears to be a connecting powder room. Three years later, John bought his own Hyannis Port estate just two doors down from his childhood summer home. The JFK Library later described it as "the emotional center of the family's life for decades.
"
Hy Peskin ArchiveGetty Images
10 of 40
1953
JFK, his brother, and his bride-to-be play football outside of the vacation home. Ted Kennedy's annual clambakes were a tradition for the family, who gathered four times a year for the event. In 1958, Ted bought the home between John and their parents.
Hy Peskin ArchiveGetty Images
11 of 40
1953
Jackie Bouvier, Eunice Kennedy, Jean Kennedy, and an unidentified woman chat on the porch. JFK's other half was especially close with his sister, Jean. "Our children were about the same age, so we spent a good amount of time together when she and Jack were living in the White House," Jean once shared with Town & Country. "As much as possible, Jackie wanted her children to have the experience of typical American children."
Hy Peskin ArchiveGetty Images
12 of 40
1953
John and Jackie greet Patricia Kennedy, as she drives up the estate's circle driveway. The home's perfectly sculpted greenery outside the front door makes the entrance even more refined.
Hy Peskin ArchiveGetty Images
13 of 40
1953
After visiting the beach, John and Jackie walk back to the house. Wide windows were purposely installed around the perimeter to take in the picturesque views of Nantucket Bay. A beach shower was also put in at the side entrance to help when coming home after a long day of sand and sailing.
Boston GlobeGetty Images
14 of 40
1955
Robert F. Kennedy and his wife, Ethel, play with their children—Bobby Jr., Kathleen, and Joseph—on the floor of the Hyannis Port home. Robert—or "Bobby," as he was often called—bought his brother Ted's property in 1961.
BettmannGetty Images
15 of 40
1960
In one of his final weekends at home before hitting the campaign trail, JFK and Jackie take in the ocean view with their daughter. Former Kennedy interior designer and consultant, Bob Luddington, revealed their house (which JFK purchased four years earlier) was known as "the Summer White House.
"
BettmannGetty Images
16 of 40
1960
Later that day, the family takes a walk around the compound grounds. "She's really too little to be aware. She knows there's excitement but she doesn't know why," Jackie told reporters about 2-year-old Caroline, after JFK was named the democratic presidential nominee.
BettmannGetty Images
17 of 40
1960
The democratic nominee chats on his outdoor patio with diplomat Adlai Stevenson. It was later discovered that JFK's father, Joe, bought his son and daughter-in-law's house for them, so that there was no bank mortgage. He then gave them a no-interest mortgage for the purchase price, allowing them to save them as much money as possible.
BettmannGetty Images
18 of 40
1960
Jackie shows off a copy of The Boston Globe from her husband's presidential election. If the room looks familiar, that's because she took inspiration from Rose Kennedy. Jackie's interior designer at the time, Bob Luddington, revealed to Boston.
com: "Jackie was very similar her in her taste level as with her mother-in-law. She liked brighter colors, more contemporary fabrics."
BettmannGetty Images
19 of 40
1960
Despite staying busy on the campaign trail, JFK always made time for family. Here, he and Jackie read a story to their daughter, Caroline, on a pink chaise lounge outside of their Hyannis Port home. Years later, in 1986, Caroline held her wedding reception at the special location.
BettmannGetty Images
20 of 40
1960
With just months to go before the presidential election, JFK and his running mate, Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, hold a press conference inside the historic Cape Cod living room. Their home was filled with many "early American pieces" and touches of Jackie Kennedy's sophisticated style.
BettmannGetty Images
21 of 40
1960
The future first and second ladies of the White House, Jackie and Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Johnson, attend the same presser in similar polished hairstyles.
Jackie's interior designer revealed what it was like collaborating with the style icon, telling Boston.com, "It was a pleasure working with her because she was not hesitant making decisions."
NBCGetty Images
22 of 40
1960
Jackie Kennedy sits with daughter Caroline inside their home for an interview with NBC News' Sander Vanocur. The little details around the room—from the copy of Candidates 1960; Behind the Headlines in the Presidential Race on the bookshelf to the matching floral vase and curtains—were perfectly arranged.
BettmannGetty Images
23 of 40
1960
The soon-to-be first family spend election day at the compound, eagerly watching polling results roll in. In 2011, Ted Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Kiki, renovated the "President's House." All the discarded items, from faded wallpaper to window panes, were given to local artists and turned into repurposed pieces. "It became difficult for me to put these pieces of history into the dumpster," designer Mark Grenier shared.
The artwork was auctioned off, and the proceeds were used to renovate the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum.
BettmannGetty Images
24 of 40
1960
A day after the election, the President-elect plays with his daughter outside the sprawling estate. Despite undergoing some renovations over the years, his estate remains true to the character of the original build. Bob Luddington, who helped with a historic preservation project for the home in 2017, praised Ted Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Kiki, for doing "an admirable job" at maintaining the house.
BettmannGetty Images
25 of 40
1960
Shortly after his big win, President-elect John F. Kennedy, his wife, Jackie, and his parents, Joseph and Rose, pose for a portrait with rows of golden books behind them.
BettmannGetty Images
26 of 40
1960
At the same celebration, JFK's extended family gathers together for a picture. The living room, complete with lit rows of statues, a marble lamp, and dark wooden side tables, is even more visible from this angle.
BettmannGetty Images
27 of 40
1961
Even while working, President John F. Kennedy preferred his Cape Cod escape. He invited Russian press to his home for an interview, which he conducted from a wooden rocking chair.
BettmannGetty Images
28 of 40
1961
While in Hyannis Port for Thanksgiving, the President invites officials over to discuss military spending. Instead of a White House boardroom, the group plans the defense budget in cozy living room chairs surrounded by floral decor.
HistoricalGetty Images
29 of 40
1963
The first family lounges on blue outdoor furniture with some furry friends. Despite being allergic to dogs, JFK loved animals and wanted his children to experience the joy of having pets. His favorite dog was Charlie, a Welsh terrier gifted to him by his wife during his presidential campaign.
HistoricalGetty Images
30 of 40
1963
In one of his final interviews, JFK sat down with CBS's Walter Cronkite at his Cape Cod home./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19989245/55_La_Forest_Lane_East_Hampton__7_.jpg)
The interview is both an incredibly revealing and emotional one to look back on, as the anchor asked plenty of questions about Kennedy's plans for 1964 and running for reelection. "I think we will have to wait and see a year and a half from now. A year now," the President said at the time, "It is not that long."
40 Photos of the Kennedys at Christmas Time
Janaya Wecker Lifestyle Editor Janaya is a Lifestyle Editor for Hearst Magazines.
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Secret visit: why Jacqueline Kennedy returned to the White House 8 years after the assassination of her husband .
By 1971, much had changed in her life: almost eight years had passed since Mrs. Kennedy had left her Camelot, she had remarried and was trying to establish a new life. However, Jackie did write to the new first lady, Pat Nixon, asking for a private visit to the residence before the official unveiling of the John F. Kennedy portrait. Documentary evidence of this period is kept in the presidential archive. This and several other letters on display in the Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy presidential libraries show the importance of Mrs. Onassis and her children's visit to the White House, as well as Pat Nixon's fondness for her predecessor.
Pat Nixon, 1970s
Jacqueline Onassis, March 1, 1970
Mrs. Nixon invited the widow of John F. Kennedy to the official presentation of her and her husband's portraits, but for Jackie, who returned to Washington only to visit the grave of her late husband, at Arlington National Cemetery, the idea of a formal event was over the top.
The family of the murdered president tried to hide from the eyes of the public. "As you know, it's hard for me to think about returning to the White House," Pat Nixon wrote in a handwritten letter dated January 27, 1971, Jacqueline, who married billionaire Aristotle Onassis three years earlier.
“I really don't have the courage to go through the official ceremony and return the children to the only home they both knew with their father under such traumatic conditions. I know that with all the press and everything else that I try to avoid in their childhood life, it will be hard for them to go through all this, ”Ms Onassis explained.
Caroline Kennedy with her mother during a shopping trip in New York, October 5, 1971
Jackie suggested an alternative - a private visit. “Perhaps any day before or after, at your convenience, the children and I could sneak into Washington DC and come to you to pay our respects and look at the portraits in private?” she asked.
The Nixons gave their consent, and in late January 1971, Mrs.
Onassis and her children, 13-year-old Caroline Kennedy and 10-year-old John F. Kennedy Jr., visited the White House. The first couple made sure that their predecessor's family was not photographed and avoided any publicity at all. Pat Nixon and her daughters, Julie and Trisha, gave guests an intimate tour of a place that has both happy and sad memories. Caroline and John enjoyed playing with the Nixons' dog.
John F. Kennedy Jr. with his mother after the Philharmonic, December 13, 1971
The visit went well and Mrs. Onassis wrote a letter of thanks to the President and First Lady. “Never have I seen such generosity and such tenderness,” she wrote. Can you imagine the gift you gave me? To return to the White House alone with my little ones while they are still small enough to rediscover their childhood - with both of you as guides - and with your daughters, such extraordinary young girls." The children of the late president also sent their letters of thanks. They wrote about portraits of their butts and mothers, photos of Indians from the White House, dogs of the first family, and how sweet the owners were.
