The President's House

By Steve Brawley

The Kennedy Compound at Hyannis Port will always be remembered as one of America's favorite Presidential retreats. The pictures of the youthful and energetic Kennedy's playing sports are commonplace in history books.

Both happy and sad occasions have marked the compound's history. JFK waited out the election returns here with his family.

It was hear that Rose and Joe learned of their son's assassination. Caroline's Wedding Reception was held on the lawn, as was Rose's 100th Birthday. JFK Jr was on his way to a wedding at the compound the fateful night of his plan crash. And, it was here that Teddy died from brain cancer.

The Kennedy Compound consists of about 6 acres of waterfront property along Nantucket Sound. It contains the homes of Joseph P. Kennedy and two of his sons, Robert F. and John F.

During the late 1950's and early 1960's, the latter utilized the compound as a base for his Presidential campaign and as a summer White House and Presidential retreat until his assassination in 1963.

In 1926 Joseph P. rented a summer cottage on Marchant Avenue in Hyannis Port. Three years later, he purchased the structure, which had been erected in 1904, and enlarged and remodeled it to suit his family's needs. In and around this house, the children spent their summers, acquiring a lifelong interest in sailing and other competitive activities.

The Joseph Kennedy (Main) House

In 1956, or three years after his marriage, John F. bought a smaller home of his own on Irving Avenue, not far from that of his father. Caroline sold the house to her Uncle Teddy in 2005 after holding an auction selling many of its furnishings. Ethel still lives at Hyannis Port in Robert's house on the Compound.

The John F. Kennedy (President's House)

All three buildings, none of which are accessible to the public, are white frame clapboarded structures typical of vacation residences on Cape Cod.

The Joseph P. Kennedy home, the largest and most impressive of the three, is surrounded by well-tended lawns and gardens and commands sweeping views of the ocean from its long porches. Rose Kennedy lived her until her death. Today the compound is still active with lots of Kennedy Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

A significant portion of the furniture and decorations in the Kennedy's "President's House" Hyannis Port home was part of a collection of furniture and folk art purchased by the Kennedy family from Gerald Shea, a highly-regarded dealer in American decorative arts in the 1950s and 60s.

Among the works from the Shea Collection sold in the 1995 auction was a Portrait of Captain Platt out of Portsmouth, with a Clipper Ship in the Distance, attributed to Frederick Mayhew, circa 1830, which hung behind President Kennedy in an official portrait taken during the summer of 1960. Captured in that iconic photograph, which would eventually grace the cover of the November 16, 1960 issue of Life Magazine.

After Teddy's death, August 2009, there has been speculation about the opening of the compound as a museum. We will have to wait and see what develops.

Jackie's Sandwich Glass Collection at the President's

House (sold at Sotheby's Auction)

The President's House at the Kennedy Compound

Caroline sold the house to her Uncle Teddy.

Photos below from the 2005 Sothebys Auction held by Caroline.

Front Hallway and Stairs

The Living Room

Living Room Fireplace

Living Room

Dining Room Fireplace

Dining Room

Dining Room Hutch (Jackie' Sandwich Glass Collection in Windows on Right)

Another Dining Area

The Sun Room

The Sun Room

Upstairs Hall

Bedroom

Bedroom