I'd never been to John Kennedy's birthplace before, even though it's only about three miles from here, in Brookline. It was another day of perfect June weather, so I decided to combine a walk over to Brookline, which is on the other side of Jamaica Pond, and a visit to the house.
It's on a quiet residential street and is not a very large or grand house at all, just a nice family house where President Kennedy's parents began their married life. Only seven rooms and two servant's rooms on the third floor. The dining room table was set with Rose Kennedy's wedding china, and there was an adorable little children's table by the window where John and his brother Joe sat, which was set with silver porringers with their initials. John was born in the upstairs bedroom (right window) in 1917, so this is the centennial year. The nursery is in the back bedroom, with his bassinet and christening robe.
I really enjoyed seeing the house as it's of the turn-of-the-century era, which I love, and was built in almost the exact year as my building in Jamaica Plain. The growing Kennedy family lived there only until 1920, when they moved to a much larger house three blocks away.
Rose Kennedy arranged for this house to become a National Historic Site in 1967, and she prepared a narration about the family's life in the various rooms, which I was able to listen to on a little device. There was also a video to watch afterwards, and it was inspiring to hear John Kennedy's speeches again and remember those days of hope and excitement about the future. What a contrast to what we have now -- I cried as I sat watching and listening.
I'm glad I decided to make this visit today. Next I must plan an outing to the Kennedy Museum out on the harbor in Dorchester. I've been there once before. Currently there's an exhibit on JFK at 100.
