Close
Not finding the information you're looking for? Please contact the Archives research staff.
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.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-BJC-02
In this interview she discusses the White House photographers, Pierre Salinger’s policies, White House pressoperations, and the Kennedy family’s reaction to press coverage, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-LB-01
Bernstein discusses John F. Kennedy’s (JFK) inauguration, public and private dinners he attended at the White House, and humorous anecdotes about his interactions with JFK and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-SLF-01
Fox discusses Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy’s aesthetic influence on White House social events, presidential citations, and the White House renovation, and Fox’s work in preparing for John F. Kennedy’s funeral, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-MCS-01
This interview focuses on Schlesinger’s impressions of the Kennedys, her reasons for supporting Governor Stevenson, and the 1960 presidential election and its aftermath, among other issues.