John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is the national memorial to President Kennedy, set on a 10-acre waterfront site on Columbia Point in Dorchester. Visitors step into a recreated world of the early 1960s, where period settings from the White House and 25 multimedia exhibits give a stirring account of President Kennedy’s life, legacy and thousand days in office, letting visitors experience that era first hand.

The striking building was designed by architect I.M. Pei and dedicated in 1979, with a glass pavilion that looks out over the harbor. From the grounds there are panoramic views of the Boston skyline and the Harbor Islands. As one of the presidential libraries in the National Archives system, it also holds Kennedy-era papers and records used by researchers. A museum store sells collectibles, posters, books, videos, T-shirts, children’s items and other gifts.

What to Know

• The museum is group friendly and welcomes tour groups.
• It is listed among Boston’s wheelchair accessible experiences.
• The museum store sells a version of President Kennedy’s favorite rocking chair.
• A museum catalog is available for shopping beyond the store.