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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-1962-06-22-D
AR23, KN18
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-09-11-A
ST13
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-11-29-C
AR29
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-103-002
This folder contains materials collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning efforts to acquire necessary funds for the National Cultural Center (later known as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts). Materials in this folder include news releases, a listing of members of the Fine Arts Gifts Committee, and memoranda regarding general fundraising campaigns, a fine arts auction, and the exhibition of paintings by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C22396
Guests arrive at the White House to attend First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's tea for National Cultural Center Campaign officials. Left to right: former first lady and honorary co-chairman of the National Cultural Center Campaign, Mamie Eisenhower; co-chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Edward H. Foley (in back); chairman of the Board of Trustees for the National Cultural Center, Roger L. Stevens (mostly hidden); honorary co-chairman of the National Cultural Center Campaign, Mrs. Kennedy; member of the Advisory Committee on the Arts for the National Cultural Center, actor Robert Montgomery (in back); member of the Advisory Committee on the Arts for the National Cultural Center, Joan Braden; co-chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, William J. McManus (in back, mostly hidden); co-chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Grace Hendrick Phillips; chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Janet Auchincloss. North Portico, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-C44-7-62
Architect, Edward Durell Stone, speaks at the unveiling of an architectural model of the National Cultural Center in a ceremony at the Elms mansion in Newport, Rhode Island; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (wearing yellow dress) sits in first row behind the model. Those seated behind the model also include: actress, Geraldine Page; entertainer, Danny Kaye; chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Janet Auchincloss; music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf; Hugh D. Auchincloss; member of the Advisory Committee on the Arts for the National Cultural Center, Joan Braden; actress, Joanne Woodward; actor, Paul Newman. [Photograph by Harold Sellers.]
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-C44-6-62
Architect, Edward Durell Stone, speaks at the unveiling of an architectural model of the National Cultural Center in a ceremony at the Elms mansion in Newport, Rhode Island; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (wearing yellow dress) sits in first row behind the model. Also pictured: chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Janet Auchincloss (partially obscured); music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf; member of the Advisory Committee on the Arts for the National Cultural Center, Joan Braden; actress, Joanne Woodward; actor, Paul Newman. [Photograph by Harold Sellers.]
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-C44-5-62
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (center, wearing yellow dress), views an architectural model of the National Cultural Center during an unveiling ceremony at the Elms mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. Also pictured: actress, Geraldine Page; entertainer, Danny Kaye; chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Janet Auchincloss; music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf; architect, Edward Durell, Stone; member of the Advisory Committee on the Arts for the National Cultural Center, Joan Braden; actress, Joanne Woodward; actor, Paul Newman. [Photograph by Harold Sellers.]
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-C44-4-62
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (center, wearing yellow dress), views an architectural model of the National Cultural Center during an unveiling ceremony at the Elms mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. Also pictured: actress, Geraldine Page; entertainer, Danny Kaye; chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Janet Auchincloss; music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf; Hugh D. Auchincloss; architect, Edward Durell Stone; member of the Advisory Committee on the Arts for the National Cultural Center, Joan Braden; actress, Joanne Woodward; actor, Paul Newman. [Photograph by Harold Sellers.]
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-C44-2-62
Actress, Geraldine Page (standing at center), speaks at the unveiling of an architectural model of the National Cultural Center in a ceremony at the Elms mansion in Newport, Rhode Island; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy sits in first row behind the model. Those seated behind the model also include: chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Janet Auchincloss; music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf; architect, Edward Durell Stone; member of the Advisory Committee on the Arts for the National Cultural Center, Joan Braden; actress, Joanne Woodward; actor, Paul Newman. [Photograph by Harold Sellers.]
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-AR7316-A
Former first lady and honorary co-chairman of the National Cultural Center Campaign, Mamie Eisenhower, and other guests arrive at the White House to attend First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's tea for National Cultural Center Campaign officials. Left to right: co-chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, William J. McManus (in shadow); Mrs. Eisenhower; co-chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Grace Hendrick Phillips; chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Janet Auchincloss (partially hidden); honorary co-chairman of the National Cultural Center Campaign, Mrs. Kennedy. North Portico, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-C44-1-62
Entertainer, Danny Kaye (standing at center), speaks at the unveiling of an architectural model of the National Cultural Center in a ceremony at the Elms mansion in Newport, Rhode Island; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (face partially obscured) sits in first row behind the model. Those seated behind the model also include: music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf; architect, Edward Durell Stone; member of the Advisory Committee on the Arts for the National Cultural Center, Joan Braden; actress, Joanne Woodward; actor, Paul Newman. [Photograph by Harold Sellers.]
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C22397
Guests arrive at the White House to attend First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's tea for National Cultural Center Campaign officials. Left to right: former first lady and honorary co-chairman of the National Cultural Center Campaign, Mamie Eisenhower; co-chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Edward H. Foley (in back); honorary co-chairman of the National Cultural Center Campaign, Mrs. Kennedy; chairman of the Board of Trustees for the National Cultural Center, Roger L. Stevens (in back); member of the Advisory Committee on the Arts for the National Cultural Center, Joan Braden; co-chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, William J. McManus (in back); co-chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Grace Hendrick Phillips; chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Janet Auchincloss. North Portico, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C22395
Guests arrive at the White House to attend First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's tea for National Cultural Center Campaign officials. Left to right: former first lady and honorary co-chairman of the National Cultural Center Campaign, Mamie Eisenhower; chairman of the Board of Trustees for the National Cultural Center, Roger L. Stevens (in back); honorary co-chairman of the National Cultural Center Campaign, Mrs. Kennedy; member of the Advisory Committee on the Arts for the National Cultural Center, Joan Braden; co-chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Grace Hendrick Phillips; chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Janet Auchincloss. North Portico, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C22394
Guests arrive at the White House to attend First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's tea for National Cultural Center Campaign officials. Left to right: former first lady and honorary co-chairman of the National Cultural Center Campaign, Mamie Eisenhower; chairman of the Board of Trustees for the National Cultural Center, Roger L. Stevens; co-chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, William J. McManus; co-chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Grace Hendrick Phillips; chairman of the Washington Area Campaign Committee for the National Cultural Center, Janet Auchincloss; honorary co-chairman of the National Cultural Center Campaign, Mrs. Kennedy. North Portico, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-AR7606-R
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (seated at table) attend a fundraising dinner and closed-circuit telecast of "An American Pageant of the Arts" for the National Cultural Center. National Guard Armory, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-AR7606-Q
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (seated at table) attend a fundraising dinner and closed-circuit telecast of "An American Pageant of the Arts" for the National Cultural Center. National Guard Armory, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-AR7606-P
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (seated at table) attend a fundraising dinner and closed-circuit telecast of "An American Pageant of the Arts" for the National Cultural Center. National Guard Armory, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-AR7606-I
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (at lectern) delivers remarks at a fundraising dinner and closed-circuit telecast of "An American Pageant of the Arts" for the National Cultural Center. Left to right: chairman of the dinner committee for the National Cultural Center, Suzanne Gardner; Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson; Mrs. Kennedy; and President John F. Kennedy. National Guard Armory, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-AR7606-O
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (seated at table) attend a fundraising dinner and closed-circuit telecast of "An American Pageant of the Arts" for the National Cultural Center. National Guard Armory, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-AR7606-N
Master of ceremonies, composer, and conductor Leonard Bernstein (left), speaks at a fundraising dinner and closed-circuit telecast of "An American Pageant of the Arts" for the National Cultural Center; President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy attended the dinner. At the head table (L-R): Secretary of the Treasury, C. Douglas Dillon; unidentified; Secretary of State, Dean Rusk; Nina Warren, wife of Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; Mr. Bernstein; chairman of the dinner committee for the National Cultural Center, Suzanne Gardner; Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson; President Kennedy; Mrs. Kennedy; Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the National Cultural Center, Roger L. Stevens; Lady Bird Johnson; Chief Justice Warren; and Virginia Rusk, wife of Secretary Rusk. National Guard Armory, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-AR7606-K
President John F. Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and others attend a fundraising dinner and closed-circuit telecast of "An American Pageant of the Arts" for the National Cultural Center. Left to right: Nina Warren (seated), wife of Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; master of ceremonies, composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein; chairman of the dinner committee for the National Cultural Center, Suzanne Gardner; Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson; Mrs. Kennedy; and President Kennedy. National Guard Armory, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-AR7606-J
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy prepares to deliver remarks at a fundraising dinner and closed-circuit telecast of "An American Pageant of the Arts" for the National Cultural Center. Left to right: chairman of the dinner committee for the National Cultural Center, Suzanne Gardner; Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson; Mrs. Kennedy; and President John F. Kennedy. National Guard Armory, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-AR7606-H
President John F. Kennedy (at lectern) delivers remarks at a fundraising dinner and closed-circuit telecast of "An American Pageant of the Arts" for the National Cultural Center. Seated (L-R): chairman of the dinner committee for the National Cultural Center, Suzanne Gardner; Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson; First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy; Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the National Cultural Center, Roger L. Stevens; Lady Bird Johnson; and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Earl Warren. National Guard Armory, Washington, D.C.