Camp David

By Steve Brawley

JFK and Eisenhower at Camp David (April 22, 1961)

Although the Kennedy's did not use Camp David as often as some other first families, they did enjoy it. Jackie confessed to J.B. West (the White House Chief Usher) that she may not have built Wexford, if she had spent more time at Camp David.

The Kennedy's had more options than many first families when it came to get-a-ways since they had access to other places (Hyannisport, Palm Beach, and a rented home "Glen Ora"). The President first visited Camp David on April 22, 1961. Jackie's first visit wasn't until November 12, 1961. It was during her first visit to Camp David she publically wore her famous pink suit.

During Jackie's oral history interview with Arthur Schlesinger, she mentions Camp David and its bomb shelter.

In one moving passage she talks about life at the White House during the drama of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. ‘That’s the time I have been closest to him,’ she tells Schlesinger. ‘When he came home, if it was a sleep or a nap, I would sleep with him. I said: ‘Please don’t send me to Camp David (Bomb Shelter), me and the children, please don’t send me anywhere. If anything happens we are all going to stay right here with you.’

President Kennedy began using Camp David more regularly in the Spring of 1963. It was at this time the lease on Glen Ora was up, and Wexford was not ready to use. He had a bridle path cleared along the inside of the camp perimeter fence and a pony ring built for his daughter Caroline's pony, Macaroni. A stable was also built for the horses that Jackie had arranged to be transported to the camp. The Kennedy's would invite friends to join them at Camp David and encouraged their staff to enjoy the retreat as well.

For the thousands of dollars JFK had to shell out to fix up and then undo Jackie's decor at Glen Ora, he could have spent less money updating Camp David to make Jackie happier there. She said Camp David reminded her of a run down Holiday Inn. Also in her Schlesinger interviews, she said that Glen Ora was a small dark house and there was not much for JFK to do there but watch movies and sleep. Nancy Reagan would admit that its easy to fix up (decorate/renovate) Camp David, since the press never gets to see what you are doing there.

A March 10, 1963 news story about a Presidential visit to Camp David reports that President Kennedy's helicopter "landed on a recreation field which had been temporarily converted into a riding ring for Jackie and five-year-old Caroline".

Dates JFK used Camp David During His Presidency: (draft)

1961:

April 22 (With Eisenhower)

Nov. 13 (Jackie wore the famous "pink suit" to Church on this day)

1962:

July 4 & 5

1963:

March 23 & 24

March 30 to April 1 (Visited Gettysburg Battlefield)

April 6 & 7 (Visited Antietam Battlefield)

April 20 & 21

April 27 & 28 (Lem Billings, Ormsbys and Gores)

May 4 & 5

May 11 & 12

May 18 & 19

May 25 & 26

May 30 (Nivens and Bradlees)

June 1 & 2

June 15 & 16

June 22

Sept. 27-28

Oct. 5 & 6 (Jackie in Greece)

Oct. 12 & 14 (Jackie in Greece)

April 23, 1961

April 25, 1961

November 12-13, 1961

On the way to Camp David (Nov. 12, 1961) Jackie wearing famous pink suit

March 10, 1963

March 30, 1963

JFK and Ike at Camp David (April 22, 1961) - Pulitzer Prize Winning Photo

Learn More:

Video: March 31, 1963 Kennedy Family at Camp David

More Info: About Camp David Website

Camp David During the Kennedy Presidency

The Kennedy Family at Camp  David (March 31, 1963)

Caroline at Camp David (March 31, 1963)

Jackie, John, Jr. and Caroline at Camp  David (March 31, 1963)

JFK at Camp David (April 22, 1961)

JFK and John Jr. at Camp David (October 1963)

John Jr. at Camp David (October 1963)

JFK, Caroline and Macaroni at Camp David (March 31, 1963)

Jackie and Caroline at Camp David (March 31, 1963)

JFK Jr. Playing Helicopter at Camp David (March 31, 1963)

Caroline at Camp David with Secret Service Agent Bob Foster (May 5, 1963)

Ted and Joan Visit Camp David (April 6-7, 1963)

Ted Kennedy and nephew John Jr. at Camp David (April 6-7, 1963)

JFK and Eisenhower at Camp David in April 22, 1961 (Bomb shelter on right of photo underground)

JFK Skeet Shooting at Camp David with David Niven, Ben Bradlee and wives - Mrs. Niven in fuzzy hat. (May 1963)

(Cecil Stoughton)

JFK Skeet Shooting at Camp David with David Niven and Ben Bradlee (May 1963)

(Cecil Stoughton)

JFK and friend Red Fay at Camp David (March 31, 1963)

JFK and friend Red Fay (with JFK Jr.) at Camp David (March 31, 1963)

JFK and JFK Jr. at Camp David (October 1963)

Layout of Presidential Cabin (Aspen Lodge) at Camp David (1960)

Presidential Cabin (Aspen Lodge) at Camp David (1960)

Presidential Aspen Lodge Cabin at Camp David (1960) - Jackie joked that it was furnished like a bad Holiday Inn.

Aspen Lodge Bedroom (1960)

Presidential Cabin at Camp David (1960)

Presidential Cabin at Camp David (1960)

Camp David (1961)

Camp David Golf Course "Putting Green" (1960)

One of the Cabins (Cedar) at Camp David (1961)

One of the Cabins (Linden) at Camp David (1961)

One of the Cabins (Laurel Lodge) at Camp David (1961)

One of the Cabins (Witch Hazel) at Camp David (1961) President Kennedy turned the cabin into a

nursery with rooms for young Caroline and John John, a nanny, and a playroom.

JFK and Eisenhower at Dogwood Cabin at Camp David (April 22, 1961)

JFK at Antietam Battlefield During Weekend at Camp David (April 7, 1963)

At Antietam Battlefield During Weekend at Camp David (April 7, 1963)

Kennedys and Fays visit Gettysburg Battlefield During Weekend at Camp David (March 31, 1963)

Marine One at Camp David with JFK and son (March 31, 1963)

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