Kennedy Compound | |
 The Kennedy Compound inHyannis Port, Massachusetts in 2021 | |
  Kennedy Compound  Kennedy Compound | |
| Location | 50 Marchant Avenue Hyannis Port, Massachusetts,U.S. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°37′47.928″N70°18′8.4954″W / 41.62998000°N 70.302359833°W /41.62998000; -70.302359833 |
| Area | 6acres (24,000 m²) |
| Built | 1904 |
| Architectural style | Clapboard |
| Part of | Hyannis Port Historic District (ID87000259) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001302[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 28, 1972 |
| Designated NHLD | November 28, 1972 |
| Designated CP | November 10, 1987 |
TheKennedy Compound consists of three houses on six acres (2.4 hectares) of waterfront property inHyannis Port, Massachusetts onCape Cod.[2][3] It was once the home ofJoseph P. Kennedy Sr., an American businessman, investor, and diplomat; his wife,Rose; and their nine children, including U.S. President and SenatorJohn F. Kennedy and U.S. SenatorsRobert F. Kennedy andEdward M. Kennedy. As an adult, the youngest son, Edward, lived in his parents' house, and it was his primary residence from 1982 until he died of brain cancer at the compound, in August 2009.[4]
Purchased in 1928, the compound became the place that theKennedy family most associated with home.[5][6]
John F. Kennedy used the compound as a base for hissuccessful 1960 U.S. presidential campaign and later as aSummer White House and presidential retreat. In 2012, the main house was donated to theEdward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.[7]
In 1926, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. rented a summercottage at 50 Marchant Avenue in Hyannis Port. Two years later, he purchased the structure, which had been erected in 1904, and enlarged and remodeled it to suit his growing family's needs.[8] In and around this house, their nine children spent their summers and early autumns,[9] acquiring a lifelong interest insailing and other competitive activities.[10] The Kennedys previously spent their summers at a cottage onNantasket Beach inHull, Massachusetts (whereJoseph Jr. was born in 1915).[11][12] In the mid-1920s, the Kennedys explored purchasing a home inCohasset, Massachusetts, but when Joe Sr. applied for membership at the exclusive Cohasset Country Club, he was blackballed. HistorianDoris Kearns Goodwin wrote that in Cohasset, "Irish Catholics were still looked down upon by the reigning Protestant (WASP) establishment."[13] Joe Sr., who had connections with the members at theHyannisport Golf Club, was accepted in spite of it being another "Yankee stronghold."[14][15] It was a deciding factor for Joe Sr. to purchase a house in the seaside village.[16] In 1941, the Hyannis Port home became the family's primary (legal) residence.[17]
In 1956, John bought a smaller home of his own at 111 Irving Avenue,(41°37′51″N70°18′13″W / 41.6308°N 70.3035°W /41.6308; -70.3035) not far from his father's home. In 1959, Edward acquired the residence at 28 Marchant Avenue(41°37′48″N70°18′11″W / 41.63°N 70.303°W /41.63; -70.303) adjacent to the other two, but in 1961 sold it to Robert and his wifeEthel. Edward lived in the main house at the compound until his death.[18]
All three buildings are white, frame,clapboard structures typical of vacation residences on Cape Cod. Except for specific occasions at the Main House, the buildings are not available for public visitation.
Joseph Sr.'s home, the Main House and the largest of the three, is surrounded by well-tendedlawns andgardens and it commands sweeping views ofNantucket Sound from its long porches.
On the main floor are a living room, dining room, sun room,television room, kitchen, variouspantries,utility rooms and the bedroom that John used before he purchased his own house in the compound.
On the second floor there are six bedrooms, a sewing room, packing room, and four servants' bedrooms. The house has a fullattic.
Thebasement contains amotion-picture theater and a hall covered with dolls from all around the world. The dolls[19] belonged to Joseph Sr. and were gifted to him from a number of different acquaintances during his time as the 44th US Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
The house has changed little, either structurally or in furnishings, since President Kennedy's association with it.
In 2012, the main house was donated by the Kennedy family to theEdward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. On the grounds are an enclosedswimming pool,tennis court, a four-cargarage, and twoguest houses.
There are two circular driveways withflagpoles standing in the middle, aboathouse and several large stretches of lawn area where many of the familytouch football games were played.
Other parcels of land that assorted members of the family have purchased remain as well-tended as those of the more prominent homes.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain. This article incorporatespublic domain material from"Kennedy Compound".The Presidents.National Park Service.November 20, 1925 – June 6, 1968 | ||
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