»Remembering Dallas, Texas – John F. Kennedy's last journey «

November 1, 2013 – June 10, 2014

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's death on November 22, 1963, the Museum THE KENNEDYS opens a special exhibition on November 1, 2013: »Remembering Dallas, Texas – John F. Kennedy's last Journey.« More than a hundred valuable photographs, rare historic documents, and personal memorabilia trace the last living hours of the president, and give intriguing insights into the results of the Warren Report of 1964 as well as the media coverage of the worldwide commemoration of Kennedy.

In the evening of November 22, 1963, candles illuminated countless windows in Berlin. A few hours earlier, President John F. Kennedy had been assasinated in Dallas, Texas. Berliners, who merely five months ago had enthusiastically cheered for Kennedy in their own city, could not believe that their beacon of hope was dead. To express their grief, they put candles on their windowsills–even in East-Berlin, where the Stasi took note of exactly who participated in such suspicious behavior. When students of the Free University heard of the news of Kennedy's death, they spontaneously left their lecture halls, and initiated a torchlight procession through the surrounding streets that was joined by many people.

John F. Kennedy had travelled to Texas to make first preparations for the presidential elections in 1964. In 1960, he had beaten his rival, Richard Nixon, by the narrow margin of only 112,827 votes. Therefore, he began campaigning early in those states where polls showed a tie between Republicans and Democrats. After several events in Florida, he flew to Texas on November 21, 1963.

Texas was known as one of the most conservative states. Many ultra-reactionary activists lived there, including H.L. Hunt and Edwin Walker. In addition, many right-wing extremist groups were located in Texas, the most well-known of which was the »John Birch Society.« In October 1963, UN Ambassador Adlai Stevenson had been spit in the face during a visit to Dallas. Precisely this state was President John F. Kennedy's destination.

Following an address in slightly rainy Fort Worth in the morning, John F. Kennedy flew to Dallas. In Dallas, the rain had already stopped. Therefore, he, Jackie, who accompanied him, Texas Governor Connally, and his wife, Nellie, rode in the car in the direction of downtown Dallas with the roof down–instead of with the roof closed, as had been the original plan. The many people lining the streets greeted the group surprisingly enthusiastically. When the motorcade turned onto Dealey Plaza, the fatal shots were fired. They hit Kennedy in the neck and back of his head. In the midst of many fruitless attempts at resuscitation at the hospital, pastor Oscar Huber administered Kennedy's last rites shortly before the President was declared dead–only thirty minutes after the assassination.

The news of John F. Kennedy's death spread like wildfire. Soon the whole nation was taken with deep grief. Due to the widespread media coverage of the Kennedy family's public and private life, many Americans felt a close connection to their president. Even in the Soviet Union and its satellite states, people grieved for the American president. The Soviet media portrayed Kennedy as a symbol for the better half of the USA, the part that supported liberty and peace. They interpreted Kennedy's assassination as a right-wing conspiracy that aimed to increase anti-communist trends within society.

To this day, contemporary witnesses know where they were when they learned of the assassination of Kennedy. His death rang in a new era in American politics, as the innocence of the early 1960s was forever gone.

»FAMILY LIFE«

 March 26 – June 9, 2013

»Life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments.«

         –Rose Kennedy

Holidays–a time to relax and to spend valuable time with loved ones. With the approaching Easter season, the Museum THE KENNEDYS will present the special exhibition »Family Life,« a rare view into the private life of the Kennedy family during the 1950s and 1960s.

With its unique selection of over sixty photographs, rare photo-series from magazines, and private film recordings, the special exhibition »Family Life« offers not only an exceptional look into the eventful family life of the Kennedys, but also showcases the works of several masters of photography, such as Henry Cartier-Bresson, Bob Davidoff, Mark Shaw, Orlando Suero, and Jacques Lowe. The rare photographs show the Kennedy family in private and informal settings, and outside the realm of the arranged photo-shoot.

Scenes of the »First Family« at church on Easter Sunday, and of the family unwrapping birthday gifts will be exhibited, as well as everyday moments, such as the children feeding ducks and riding horses for the first time while the older members of the family enjoy art and music.

The sporting activities of the American »Royal Family« also receive special emphasis in the exhibition. Their athletic repertoire was certainly not limited to golf, baseball, or tennis–the family was particularly famous for their competitive football matches. All four sons of Joseph Kennedy were members of the Harvard College football team and the men of the family played each other outisde of the competitive field whenever the opportunity arose. The women of the family, the sisters and wives, were also not shy about participating in the games; these moments are captured in rare photographs from the collection of the Museum THE KENNEDYS.

The Kennedys took advantage of the beach at their compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, as a rejuvenating get-away location. The deck of their yacht »Victura« also served as a way for the entire family to relax and recharge. Of course, cameras were always on hand, allowing the present-day viewer the opportunity to witness these informal and cheerful moments over fifty years later.