The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum as a cultural representation of the public memory of the president

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is a cultural representation of the public memory of the president. The site, located in Boston, Massachusetts, welcomes thousands of visitors each year, and its exhibits aim to enhance their understanding of the Kennedy presidency. This article examines the purposes of the Kennedy Library and Museum and explores its content in order to establish whether the museum provides an accurate representation of John F. Kennedy’s achievements in office. While the approach adopted is principally one of historical enquiry in order to test the content of the museum against the president’s record in office, the range of political issues covered and the focus on a cultural symbol of his rule should make the article accessible to scholars in other disciplines. The article argues that the founders of the Kennedy Library and Museum, who were all close Kennedy associates, were keen to provide a permanent memorial to the president that focused on the idea that his achievements in office outweighed his personal flaws. Reflecting their views and the influence that they have had over the wider public perception of President Kennedy, the Kennedy Library and Museum therefore provides an overwhelmingly positive representation of the president.