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.
Photograph
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Personal Papers
JBKOPP-SF053-009-p0017
Photograph of Senator-elect Robert F. Kennedy speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Seated in the front row are President Lyndon Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson (both wearing light-colored coats). Also in attendance are Reverend Philip M. Hannan; Arthur M. Schlesinger, Special Assistant to President John F. Kennedy; White House Secret Service Agent Gerald A. "Jerry" Behn; and Roger L. Stevens, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Kennedy Center. Verso contains, "145," handwritten in pencil, and a stamp of, "Credit Photo By, City News Bureau, CO. 5-2000, Sheraton Park Hotel, Washington 8, D.C."
Photograph
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Personal Papers
JBKOPP-SF053-009-p0015
Photograph of President Lyndon Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson at the groundbreaking ceremony for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. First row (standing, L-R): Reverend Philip M. Hannan (wearing wide-brimmed hat), Senator-elect Robert F. Kennedy, President Johnson, and the First Lady. Also in attendance are Arthur M. Schlesinger, Special Assistant to President John F. Kennedy; White House Secret Service Agent Gerald A. “Jerry” Behn; and Roger L. Stevens, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Kennedy Center. Verso contains, "243," handwritten in pencil, and a stamp of, "Credit Photo By, City News Bureau, CO. 5-2000, Sheraton Park Hotel, Washington 8, D.C."
Photograph
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Personal Papers
JBKOPP-SF053-009-p0013
Photograph of Senator-elect Robert F. Kennedy speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Seated in the background is Arthur M. Schlesinger (wearing glasses), Special Assistant to President John F. Kennedy. Verso contains, "D17," handwritten in pencil, and a stamp of, "Credit Photo By, City News Bureau, CO. 5-2000, Sheraton Park Hotel, Washington 8, D.C."