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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-ST-249-17-62
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (left) talks with mezzo-soprano opera singer Grace Bumbry following Ms. Bumbry's performance at a dinner in honor of Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives John W. McCormack, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren. (L-R) Mrs. Kennedy, Secretary of Labor Arthur J. Goldberg (partially hidden, facing away), piano accompanist Charles Wadsworth (in profile), and Ms. Bumbry. Cross Hall, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-249-10-62
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (left) talks with mezzo-soprano opera singer Grace Bumbry and piano accompanist Charles Wadsworth (center) following Ms. Bumbry's performance at a dinner in honor of Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives John W. McCormack, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren. Secretary of Labor Arthur J. Goldberg (in profile) stands to the right of Mrs. Kennedy. Cross Hall, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C19430
Cellist Pablo Casals bows to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. (L-R) Ruth Ribicoff; Abraham Ribicoff, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare; Mary Louise Day; Postmaster General J. Edward Day; Inés Mendoza de Muñoz; President John F. Kennedy; Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Muñoz Marín; Mr. Casals; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy; Marta Casals; Rose Kennedy; Representative Adam Clayton Powell of New York (second row); Dorothy Goldberg; Secretary of Labor Arthur Goldberg. East Room, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C19428
Cellist Pablo Casals stands before the audience after a performance at a dinner in honor of the Governor of Puerto Rico. (L-R) Unidentified man; Ruth Ribicoff; Abraham Ribicoff, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare; Mary Louise Day; Postmaster General J. Edward Day; Inés Mendoza de Muñoz (mostly hidden behind Mr. Casals); Mr. Casals; President John F. Kennedy; Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Muñoz Marín; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy; Marta Casals (mostly hidden behind Rose Kennedy); Rose Kennedy; Representative Adam Clayton Powell of New York (moustache, second row); Dorothy Goldberg; Secretary of Labor Arthur Goldberg. East Room, White House, Washington, D.C.