Our big outing today was a drive to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The impressive I.M. Pei designed center is located at Columbia Point on the Boston waterfront, facing the sea that President Kennedy loved so much.
 I.M. Pei also designed the Louvre |  Boston waterfront |
One of the things we both noticed was that much of the story of Kennedy's life and presidency was told through images and video. The introductory film is almost entirely in Kennedy's own voice, telling the story of his life and entry into politics.
Visiting the museum was like visiting the 60s, by turns inspiring and tragic.
Jacqueline Kennedy's participation and contributions to the life of the White House and the nation are clearly portrayed. I was startled that I did not remember her voice (one website describes it as "feathery, girlish"). The exhibits made it clear that she was an intelligent, cultured woman who enriched the life of the White House and the nation.
Three brothers
The assassination is not the focal point of the exhibits, but it is inescapable. Watching the video of Walter Cronkite's announcement to the nation of the president's death moved me to tears, and transported me back to that dark moment when I heard the awful news.  JFK's sailboat, the Victura |  Prophetic quotation (but actually from 1961 and he said "30 to 40 years") |
We stopped in the cafe to have some clam chowder while looking out over Boston Harbor before walking through the gift shop. On the way out we visited a tribute to Teddy Kennedy.
On the way home we stopped briefly at the Adams National Historical Park in Quincy. Our friends, the Simingtons, told us not to miss it. We'll go back another day to tour the houses and other sites.
After dinner we went to the laundromat (the only one in Hingham). It turned out to be the best place we've ever washed our clothes--new highly efficient machines, very clean and well appointed. The owner chatted with us.
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