The John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site (NHS) reopened in June for its first full season since closing for renovations in 2019. The upgrades, which focus on accessibility, were halted and slowed during the COVID-10 pandemic shutdowns and fully finished in late 2023.
Though time-consuming, these renovations are significant. Few changes have been made to the site since it was established in 1969. The renovations include the installation of a wheelchair lift to provide access to the ground floor, a wheelchair-accessible restroom and staff bathroom, and a water bottle fill station. Structural improvements such as updated storm drainage, fresh exterior paint, replacement of wood gutters, and more set the house up for a long, secure life.
“Interestingly, one of the Kennedy family’s greatest legacies has been their groundbreaking work in supporting those with disabilities,” a site staff member writes. “In this spirit and with the National Park Service’s own mission of improving accessibility and inclusion for all, the park made the decision of closing down the site temporarily so that this important work could happen.”
Located at 83 Beals Street in Brookline, it is the birthplace of President John F. Kennedy. Restored to its 1917 appearance, the site tells the story of JFK’s childhood and the development of the New England values the Kennedy family is known for.
Physical improvements aren’t the only way accessibility is addressed by the site. Video and audio tours, including a ranger-led tour, are available online. Printed materials are available in Chinese, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Hungarian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
The site is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guided tours are available on the hour and the half hour from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; otherwise, guests can opt for a self-guided tour.
During the summer months, two special tours are offered: a 45-minute tour of the surrounding neighborhood at 2:15 p.m. every day the site is open and a 90-minute Origins Tour offered Wednesdays from June 26 through August 28 at 10:15 a.m. Both are weather-dependent.
The renewed focus on accessibility provides an opportunity to discuss the lesser-known disabilities of the Kennedy family. President John F. Kennedy struggled with lifelong chronic pain and poor health despite the energetic image he showed to the public. His sister Rosemary lived with intellectual disabilities and was administered a lobotomy, which rendered her unable to walk and talk. She remained institutionalized for the rest of her life. These challenges open up a new side of the Kennedy story.
“As the site reopens with new accessibility features, there is a promise to continue to work on identifying ways to increase accessibility in both our facility and available programming,” writes a site staff member. “This includes practicing inclusive storytelling regarding the Kennedy family and their legacy.”
