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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 folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1963-05-29-L
ST24, KN35
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-12-12-B
AR30, ST17, KN27
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C28773
President John F. Kennedy arrives at a surprise party thrown by members of the White House staff in honor of his 46th birthday. Left to right: Naval Aide to the President, Captain Tazewell Shepard (in doorway, face hidden); President Kennedy; White House Secret Service agents, John J. “Muggsy” O’Leary (partially hidden) and Clint Hill; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy; First Lady’s Social Secretary, Nancy Tuckerman; four unidentified persons. Navy Mess Hall, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C25669
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy stand beside the Christmas tree in the North Entrance Hall of the White House, Washington, D.C., during a Christmas party for White House staff.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-A7-7-61
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (both in center right foreground, seen from above) greet guests gathered in Cross Hall, during a Christmas party for White House staff; guests fill the hallway and into the Green Room at left. Also pictured: Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh; White House Secret Service agent, Clint Hill. White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-A7-6-61
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (both in center foreground, seen from above) greet guests gathered in Cross Hall, during a Christmas party for White House staff; guests fill the hallway leading into the State Dining Room. Also pictured: Military Aide to the President General Chester V. Clifton; Naval Aide to the President Captain Tazewell T. Shepard, Jr.; Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh; White House Secret Service agents, Clint Hill and Ken Giannoules. White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-A7-5-61
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (as seen from above) greet guests gathered in Cross Hall, during a Christmas party for White House staff. President Kennedy (center right) shakes hands with an unidentified staff member; Mrs. Kennedy (back to camera) visits with other guests; staff members fill the hallway leading into the State Dining Room. Also pictured: Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh; Military Aide to the President General Chester V. Clifton; Naval Aide to the President Captain Tazewell T. Shepard, Jr.; White House Secret Service agents, Clint Hill and Toby Chandler. White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-A7-4-61
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy greet guests gathered in Cross Hall, during a Christmas party for White House staff; President Kennedy (center right, back to camera) shakes hands with White House Communications Agency (WHCA) officer, Major Anthony S. Suglia; Mrs. Kennedy (in profile) shakes hands with another guest who is hidden behind the President. Military Aide to the President General Chester V. Clifton, stands at far right; guests fill the hallway and into the Blue Room at left. White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-A7-3-61
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy greet guests gathered in Cross Hall, during a Christmas party for White House staff; President Kennedy (center right, back to camera) shakes hands with White House media network electrician, Cleve Ryan; Mrs. Kennedy (in profile) shakes hands with another guest who is partially hidden behind the President. White House Communications Agency (WHCA) officer, Major Anthony S. Suglia, stands two persons behind Mr. Ryan; guests fill the hallway and into the Blue Room at left. White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-A7-1-61
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (both in center right background, seen from above) greet guests gathered in Cross Hall, during a Christmas party for White House staff; staff members fill the hallway leading into the State Dining Room. Also pictured: Military Aide to the President General Chester V. Clifton; First Lady’s Social Secretary, Letitia Baldrige; National Park Service (NPS) photographer, Abbie Rowe; White House Secret Service agents, Clint Hill and Toby Chandler. White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-C189-9-63
Press Secretary Pierre Salinger (far left) holds up a plaque that reads “Complaints Ignored / Henry Luce,” during a surprise party thrown by members of the White House staff in honor of President John F. Kennedy’s 46th birthday. President Kennedy (sitting in rocking chair) and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy laugh as Salinger opens gifts. Presidential Aide Dave Powers stands second from right (wearing glasses); others are unidentified. Navy Mess Hall, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-A43-1-62
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy stand beside the Christmas tree in the North Entrance Hall of the White House, Washington, D.C., during a Christmas party for White House staff. Among those standing in the background are (at far left): Secretary to the Assistant Press Secretary, Barbara Gamarekian; First Lady’s Social Secretary, Letitia Baldrige; and First Lady's Press Secretary, Pamela Turnure.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-552-3-62
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy stand beside the Christmas tree in the North Entrance Hall of the White House, Washington, D.C., during a Christmas party for White House staff. Among those standing in the background are Chief of White House Police, Major Ralph C. "Smokey" Stover (right of tree); and Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh (third from right). [Notes: Blemishes on image are original to the negative.]
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-552-1-62
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (as seen from above) greet guests gathered in Cross Hall, during a Christmas party for White House staff; President Kennedy (center right) shakes hands with an unidentified staff member; Mrs. Kennedy (center right, further back) shakes hands with another guest; staff members fill the hallway leading into the State Dining Room. Also pictured: Military Aide to the President General Chester V. Clifton; Naval Aide to the President Captain Tazewell T. Shepard, Jr.; Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh; White House Secret Service agents, Clint Hill and Toby Chandler. White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-AR7636-G
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy stand beside the Christmas tree in the North Entrance Hall of the White House, Washington, D.C., during a Christmas party for White House staff.